49ers roster 2023: Oren Burks to play more than just special teams?

Oren Burks might end up taking on more responsibility with the 49ers' linebacker corps this season.

The San Francisco 49ers brought in former Green Bay Packers linebacker Oren Burks entering the 2022 season for one sole reason.

To improve what was previously a frustratingly disappointing and inconsistent special teams unit.

Burks, who played his first four years at the NFL level with Green Bay, primarily saw time on the crucial third phase of the game while also spot-starting here and there over the course of his Packers tenure.

That, too, was his role with the Niners for all of the 2022 season.

The 28-year-old Burks actually takes pride in his special teams abilities, though, and that'll likely be his base level of value to San Francisco heading into the 2023 season.

However, some changes at the position could prompt Burks to see an increased role.

49ers roster: Oren Burks now in the mix for starting SAM linebacker

Technically, strong-side (SAM) linebackers are starters. However, given the prevalence of nickel defenses in today's pass-happy NFL, this third linebacker has been relegated to the ranks of a backup.

Few teams, including the 49ers, operate out of base formations with three linebackers.

Either way, the Niners experienced a notable change at the position during the offseason, losing their former No. 3 backer via NFL free agency, Azeez Al-Shaair, to the Tennessee Titans.

Sure, San Francisco still has two of the best linebackers in the NFL, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. But, with Al-Shaair gone, Burks now steps up into what could likely be a starting job in 2023.

He won't be alone, though. Other returnees like Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Curtis Robinson and Marcelino McCrary-Ball are in the mix for this job, and the 49ers onboarded two rookie draft picks who could seek the SAM spot, too, Dee Winters and Jalen Graham.

The fact the 49ers have previously turned to Burks as a spot-starter works in his favor, though.

How much are the 49ers paying Oren Burks in 2023?

According to Spotrac, Burks will command a cap hit of up to $2.773 million this season, and there's still $1.092 million of dead money there, should the Niners opt to release him this year.

San Francisco also spread out his bonus over the course of five full years, although the last three are void years, meaning Burks will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2023 season.

Unless the 49ers extend him, of course.

What should 49ers fans expect from Oren Burks in 2023?

Burks is in the discussion to be the No. 1 option at SAM, although it wouldn't be surprising to see the Niners push more toward one of the two rookies, Winters or Graham, as the long-term options.

In that line of thinking, Burks could get a start or two here and there early in the season, and his role would certainly increase if either Warner or Greenlaw miss time.

By now, though, Burks has carved out his role as a strong special teams ace, and that's likely what San Francisco will want him to do first and foremost.

Making up for the free-agent loss of Al-Shaair will probably be a secondary concern, but it could still lead to an increase in defensive snaps regardless.

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