49ers post-OTA 53-man roster predictions for 2021

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San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Linebackers (4)

MLB Fred Warner

SLB Dre Greenlaw

WLB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

LB Justin Hilliard

Linebacker is another group that is incredibly solid at the starting positions but then leaves a lot of questions beyond that.

All-Pro Fred Warner will continue to anchor the 49ers defense as he seeks a long-term contract with the team, something that could happen once the team returns for training camp in late July if the pattern of George Kittle’s extension from last summer is followed.

Don’t expect the 49ers to let Warner go, however.

Next to Warner is Dre Greenlaw, who has blossomed from fifth-round draft pick to a starter in just a few seasons and was good enough to allow the team to trade former free agent signing Kwon Alexander to the Saints last season.

Behind those two, your guess is as good as mine, as any of the mix of Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Azeez Al-Shaair, James Burgess, Nathan Gerry, Jonas Griffith, or undrafted rookies Justin Hilliard and Elijah Sullivan could end of on the roster.

Al-Shaair has been the defacto starter on the 49ers defense since the Alexander trade but hasn’t shown much on that side of the ball, so he’ll need to prove his worth again during training camp. I have him losing that spot to DFF, who has been the special teams ace of the unit for a few seasons now.

Taking on that role is rookie Justin Hilliard out of Ohio State to whom the team gave a $95,000 guarantee this offseason, although they did give the same to Sullivan, meaning the two could have a leg up on the veterans if they all play at the same level during the preseason.