49ers 53-man roster predictions ahead of first preseason game vs. Packers

Jan 19, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (41) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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

49ers Linebackers (5)

MLB Fred Warner

LB Azeez Al-Shaair

LB Dre Greenlaw

LB Oren Burks

LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

PS: LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, LB Segun Olubi

The 49ers’ trio of starting linebackers is one of the best in the NFL, with All-Pro Fred Warner manning the middle flanked by Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw, both of whom saw major time in 2022 due to various injuries.

Both should feature prominently in the defense again in 2022, although the major question will be which one will come off the field when the Niners move into nickel and dime packages on defense. Warner is the best cover linebacker in the league, so it’ll come down to which of the two other starters proves himself in that regard to answer the question.

As far as depth is concerned, that will mostly be held down by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who has been with the team for a few years now, with former Packer Oren Burks coming to San Francisco mostly as a special teams ace, but who could fill in as a linebacker if needed.

For the practice squad, two undrafted rookies — Marcelino McCrary-Ball out of Indiana and Segun Olubi out of San Diego State — seem like likely candidates to hold down the role.