3 internal candidates who can replace 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans

49ers candidate No. 1: Johnny Holland, Linebackers coach

The linebacker position is one that’s undergone a bit of a recession in terms of importance when it comes to defenses in the NFL, with your traditional linebackers very rarely part of the discussion when it comes to top draft prospects.

Indeed, unless you’re a linebacker in a 3-4 base defense who can rush the passer, you could be forgiven for thinking linebackers are given much consideration at all when it comes to constructing the defense.

49ers fans can also be forgiven for considering their linebacker trio of Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair to be the best linebacker trio in football. Warner is an All-Pro, Greenlaw was a snub for both the Pro Bowl and the second-team All-Pro squad and Al-Shaair has been excellent as a spot starter, as well as the third linebacker whenever the Niners play their base 4-3 defense.

So, for Johnny Holland, the linebackers coach for San Francisco, he hasn’t exactly had high draft picks fall into his lap when it comes to his linebacking corps. That’s not to say he hasn’t had a lot of talent to mold, however.

Holland had to step away last season due to receiving treatment for cancer but returned to the team. He’s also one of the more popular assistants on the field.

If the 49ers decide to upgrade from within, they could very well go with the linebacker coach once again.