3 bright spots from SF 49ers Week 1 loss to visiting Cardinals

No. 3: SF 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is looking elite

OK, so we’re not putting him in the Pro Bowl just yet. But so far, second-year linebacker Dre Greenlaw isn’t showing any signs of the always-worrisome sophomore slump.

Greenlaw was one of the more consistent and productive defenders in Week 1, finishing the game with only one credited tackle but making a huge play in what could have been a turning-point moment.

Late in the first half and with the Niners needing a defensive stop, Greenlaw got in the way of a pass from Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, deflecting it up in the air and into the waiting arms of safety Jaquiski Tartt:

Yes, Tartt got credit for the pick. But the work was put in by Greenlaw.

Pro Football Focus recognized Greenlaw with an outstanding 91.0 pass-coverage grade, certainly influenced by the pass deflection. And as it turned out, that was the Niners’ best pass-coverage grade PFF awarded throughout the game.

If only some other players got up close to that range, we might be discussing a different outcome.

Nevertheless, Greenlaw’s efforts in Week 1 were exemplary, and he should probably be seeing more field time in the coming weeks as a result.