49ers: 5 biggest unlikely heroes from 2019 regular season
By Chris Wilson
No. 2: Linebacker Dre Greenlaw
Like Daniel Brunskill, linebacker Dre Greenlaw saw his role increase a lot due to a key injury to a starter, Kwon Alexander.
Alexander’s torn pectoral on Oct. 31 was supposed to be of the season-ending variety, although he was able to return for San Francisco’s playoff run. And while Greenlaw initially started off the year as the 49ers’ starting strong-side (SAM) linebacker, the prevalence of nickel formations typically means SAM linebackers aren’t on the field anywhere near the number of snaps, compared to previous eras.
But when Alexander was lost, Greenlaw suddenly found himself essentially in a starting role.
The rookie fifth-round NFL Draft pick accounted for himself well, finishing the regular season with two passes defended and 87 tackles, which ranked second on the defense only behind fellow linebacker Fred Warner.
And none of Greenlaw’s tackles were more important than this game saver against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17:
That play alone, and the implications the 49ers enjoyed because of it, is more than enough to put Greenlaw on this list.