49ers training camp: Each position's top battle to watch in 2023
By Peter Panacy
Top 49ers linebacker battle: SAM linebacker
Players in the mix: Oren Burks, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Jalen Graham
The Niners' first two linebackers are set, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, and they'll be on the field the majority of the time when considering the defense spends the majority of time in nickel formations.
That said, there's an opportunity for one of a number of different linebackers to assume a greater role as the strong-side (SAM) linebacker, a spot previously held by now-Tennessee Titans backer Azeez Al-Shaair.
Oren Burks, primarily known for special teams duties, is the likely favorite to earn the role. He'll be challenged by returnees like Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Marcelino McCrary-Ball, though, and the two San Francisco rookies, Dee Winters and Jalen Graham, could also make respective cases to earn the job out of training camp.
Plus, whoever winds up winning this job is likely the primary backup to support both Warner and Greenlaw in case of an injury.