These 49ers youngsters could steal roster spots from established veterans
Where might youth win out? Let's find out.
By John Porter
Jalen Graham or Dee Winters over Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
And the award for the longest sub-heading in history goes to....
Yeah, sorry about that one, but it actually illustrates the logjam at linebacker tremendously. The injury suffered by Dre Greenlaw in the Super Bowl has unleashed a Hunger Games-style frenzy for roster spots at the linebacker position, particularly as it seems Greenlaw won't be back until midseason.
The 49ers spent some time trying to fortify the position in free agency, originally being jilted by Eric Kendricks, who went to the rival Dallas Cowboys, before landing De'Vondre Campbell on a one-year deal. They're also bringing back veteran Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who has been on the team's roster for the last four years.
While Campbell's spot looks secure, second-year players like Jalen Graham and Dee Winters may give the Niners a headachle when deciding the final few spots at the position.
Winters has been praised for his application in the offseason, particularly by Fred Warner, whospoke glowingly of him just a few months ago, while Graham defied preseason predictions last year to make the roster, and was active on special teams in the games he was active for.
His special teams experience may help him carve out a role on the roster, especially since Oren Burks departed the team. They'll certainly be in the mix for a roster spot, regardless of who else is available.
My recent 53-man roster projection had the team keeping all five, kicking the can down the road on making a tough decision here, but if the 49ers do go a little lighter here, the player with the most to lose is the veteran on the back end of the roster.
Flannigan-Fowles has been a survivor throughout his career, regularly signing one-year deals and beating out other linebackers, largely with special teams play, but his ability to deputise when Warner or Greenlaw hasn't played has been mediocre at best.
If either one or both of Graham and Winters continue their upward trajectory, it could be the last time we see Flannigan-Fowles on the roster.