San Francisco 49ers: 3 rookies from 2019 NFL Draft to watch in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Linebacker Dre Greenlaw
The final player on this list already made a name for himself in 2019.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw made arguably the most important tackle of the season for San Francisco, stopping Seattle Seahawks likebacker Jacob Hollister on the goal line during the 49ers’ Week 17 NFC West-clinching win over their division rivals.
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Greenlaw was exceptional stepping up for injured linebacker Kwon Alexander, who managed to return in time for the playoffs from a pectoral injury. By season’s end, Greenlaw finished the year second in tackles (92) behind his fellow linebacking mate, Fred Warner (118). Greenlaw’s coverage efforts were solid, and the rookie flashed some playmaking abilities in both backup and starting roles.
Simply put, Greenlaw is a big reason why the Niners can boast one of the best linebacking corps in the league right now.
Yet it will be interesting to see how the team’s roles pan out at this position in 2020. Warner, Alexander and Greenlaw are all capable of starting. And while the 49ers’ defensive tweaks last season made the weak-side, strong-side and middle linebacker roles much more interchangeable, it’ll be interesting to see how the actual pecking order pans out.
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Either way, watching exactly what Greenlaw’s role becomes this season should be a fun storyline to watch.