The 49ers need a linebacker after Dre Greenlaw's departure, and Chris Paul Jr. can help form the next dynamic duo alongside Fred Warner.
The hardest of many offseason departures the San Francisco 49ers endured in 2025 is linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who rebuffed his former team's 11th-hour attempt to retain him and instead opted to join the Denver Broncos in free agency.
It's a tough loss. Greenlaw's absence was sorely felt for much of 2024 when he was absent for the bulk of the season after he tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl the previous February.
Now, the Niners have little choice but to land an adequate replacement.
General manager John Lynch already hinted at some in-house replacements, including Dee Winters, who periodically served as Greenlaw's fill-in for parts of 2024.
However, it's just as feasible for Lynch and Co. to turn to the 2025 NFL Draft with the hope of finding yet another hidden gem who can not only replace Greenlaw on the full but also pair with All-Pro Fred Warner to reestablish one of the NFL's best linebacking duos.
One name pops out.
Chris Paul Jr. should be a prime target for 49ers to replace Dre Greenlaw
The former Ole Miss backer likely won't slip into day three of the draft as Greenlaw did, possibly being a Round 3 target, and one should note San Francisco boasts two picks in that particular round.
However, the 6-foot-1 and 224-pound prospect certainly carries plenty of positive traits, which were described by Bleacher Report in their scouting report on him:
– Decent size and has some room for growth on his frame.
– Good speed and movement skills, very good athlete overall.
– Can carry tight end and running backs on vertical routes in man coverage or click and close in a hurry when playing zone.
– Uses his hands well in coverage to force re-routes or help stay in-phase.
– Natural ball skills and good ball production for a linebacker.
– Has some thud when coming downhill to create stalemates against offensive linemen when blitzing against the run game and to get pressure against running backs a pass-rusher.
There are concerns, however, about missed tackles and some shaky habits while in zone coverage. But, for the most part, those are coachable elements and not wholly unfamiliar to 49ers fans who watched both Warner and Greenlaw progress through them back when they were entering the fray.
Plus, if there's any indication the Niners are enticed by Paul's presence, look no further than the linebacker's recent visit to the Bay Area and photo opp with Warner, which might be a sign of things to come.
A foreshadowing, perhaps?
Either way, Paul might be one of the handful of linebackers San Francisco is eyeing as a youthful, promising target as someone who can fill a substantial void left by Greenlaw.