SF 49ers: 4 players who have most to prove over final six games
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Linebacker Dre Greenlaw
The main reason why the SF 49ers traded Kwon Alexander before the deadline was to clear salary cap space.
Another was because they felt they had another promising up-and-coming linebacker on a cheap rookie contract, Dre Greenlaw.
Greenlaw, despite ranking No. 2 on the team in tackles with 54, hasn’t quite been the prolific playmaker he was a season ago during his rookie year. To date, Pro Football Focus has awarded him with a lowly 49.0 grade, and his run-defense efforts have been particularly problematic. PFF’s grade here is a mere 40.1, as Greenlaw has frequently been a step or two behind ball-carriers.
Unlike some of the other players on this list, Greenlaw likely isn’t going anywhere next season. Barring something completely unseen, he’ll be on San Francisco roster in 2021.
Exactly what capacity, though, is another question.
What remains for Greenlaw is the need to prove the SF 49ers made the right decision to trade Alexander, giving the former an increased role.
If Greenlaw doesn’t, linebacker will climb back up the list of team needs this offseason.