The 49ers might have the NFL’s best group of linebackers. That won’t change in 2022.
After dealing with some injuries that forced San Francisco to shuffle their LB corps multiple times a season ago, they bring back a fully healthy group that figures to once again be one of the league’s top units.
While the pass rush gets a lot of the credit for the 49ers’ defensive success over the last few years, their linebackers also deserve praise for consistently controlling the middle of the field during a time when offenses are trying hard to dominate between the hashes in the second level.
Next offseason could see the 49ers undergo some significant changes, but for now this is a group that should be very good as long as it’s healthy.
Fred Warner
(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Last year Warner got off to a tough start after earning an All-Pro nod in 2020. Toward the end of the year and into the playoffs though he was dominant again and in the divisional round vs. Green Bay was the single biggest reason San Francisco escaped with a win despite not scoring an offensive touchdown. The 49ers will be in good shape as long as he’s roaming the middle of the field.
Dre Greenlaw
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
A groin injury limited Greenlaw to just three regular-season games last year. He was good when he played, but he lost his starting Will linebacker spot to Azeez Al-Shaair. With unrestricted free agency scheduled for March, Greenlaw could be in line for a big pay day if he gets that WLB spot back and plays well. The fact he might be the No. 3 LB is a testament to how good this group is.
Azeez Al-Shaair
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Al-Shaair signed his second-round restricted free agent tender and will be an unrestricted free agent next year. He had a monster 2021 campaign after sliding into the every-down job alongside Warner. Al-Shaair and Greenlaw will battle for…
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