49ers: Predicting defensive starting lineup before 2020 NFL Draft

Predicting 49ers defensive starting lineup before 2020 NFL Draft

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Defensive end Dee Ford #55 , middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #56 and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate a sack during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Kwon Alexander #56 and Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

MIKE: Fred Warner

WILL: Kwon Alexander

SAM: Dre Greenlaw

There aren’t anywhere near the number of questions among San Francisco’s linebackers, which could be one of the league’s strongest groups entering 2020.

This season, the 49ers will likely deploy their backers in the way they intended to early last season, giving Fred Warner the MIKE and play-calling responsibilities, while Kwon Alexander assumes the playmaking weak-side (WILL) role in both base and nickel formations.

Alexander’s midseason pectoral injury opened up the door for then-rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw to make an impact, and that’s precisely what happened.

The Niners’ fifth-round NFL Draft pick from last year proved himself worthy of a starting role, and he’ll likely rotate frequently with both Warner and Alexander to keep all players fresh. The only reason Greenlaw comes off the field in most sub-package formations is due to the money invested in Alexander and Warner’s already-existing defensive prowess.

Still, it’s a good situation for San Francisco to be in.