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:
First they're Tartt, then they're sweet 🤗@Quaski29 with the INT and 16-yard pickup!
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 13, 2020
📺 #AZvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/X2XhsQBllu
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.