49ers 2024 Training Camp Preview: Who steps up while Dre Greenlaw rehabs?

Jul 23, 2024, 10:20 AM

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 04: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp at SAP Performance Facility on August 04, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers enter 2024 training camp with the hunger of vengeance, looking to climb the mountaintop once more next season. But while the majority of their roster is a ready-made Super Bowl contender, some areas of weakness could be exploit on the biggest stages.

That isn’t the case at linebacker, with perennial All-Pro Fred Warner manning the middle of the park in The Bay.

The BYU alum stands atop the LB mountain for most of the football world, entering Year 7 feeling better than ever physically. Warner racked up 132 combined tackles in 2023. Throw in 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 11 pass break-ups, Warner is a beast to say the least.

But what happens if All-Pro Fred goes down with injury? Or more importantly, who replaces his partner, Dre Greenlaw, while the latter is on the sidelines? Greenlaw is still rehabbing a torn achilles from Super Bowl LVIII

Here’s how the 2024 49ers linebacker room looks heading into training camp.

Fred Warner on Dre Greenlaw:

“Dre is doing great. What happened to him in the Super Bowl was hard to wrap your mind around really. It was so sad to see him go down in that moment. He was having a career game. You could tell he was possibly going to be the Super Bowl MVP the way… pic.twitter.com/wEyvbfuqpC
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) July 23, 2024

Current Room:

De’Vondre Campbell
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Dee Winters
Ezekiel Turner
Jalen Graham
Curtis Robinson
Tatum Bethune (R)

De’Vondre Campbell

The man many believe SF brought in to alleviate the quality gap: Former All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell.

Campbell, 31, is coming off an injury riddled last few seasons, missing 10 games combined. While his production has dipped from his standout 2021 season, he’s still been effective, with 75 and 96 tackles in each of the last two years. He’s also had a 65.3 Pro Football Focus grade in 2023, despite playing slightly out-of-position in Green Bay.

The Minnesota alum has been rejuvenated in SF, seemingly looking to turn the page on the west coast.

“He looks great, man,” Warner stated about Campbell in June. “I think obviously, he has that familiarity with this scheme, playing in Atlanta. A seasoned veteran who’s played at a high level in this league. I think he’s been great for the room, great for the group. He’s looked great in OTAs, so, he’s gonna just continue to keep working on those details heading into training camp.”

It’s expected he will compete for the starting job, opposite of Warner, while Greenlaw is on the mend.

#49ers newest LB De’Vondre Campbell 🔥

pic.twitter.com/8jH7S2cI07
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) March 15, 2024

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

The other guy set to compete for starting minutes: DFF

Flannigan-Fowles enters Year 5 in the NFL, all with coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. While his numbers and defensive snaps are limited (19 combined tackles last season), his continuity with the playbook gives him the edge over most at his position.

Once Oren Burks headed back East this spring, DFF ‘s chances to make a jump was as clear as day. Let’s see how August plays out.

Dee Winters

Maybe primed to make the biggest leap at LB is second-year Dee Winters.

The TCU product has been a standout all spring and summer in offseason programs. His play and work ethic have improved immensely, enough for 49ers captain Fred Warner to really take notice.

“I think Dee [has] probably had the best OTA out of anybody on the team,” Warner said in June. “I feel like he’s come along since last year. I remember he came in as a rookie, was struggling to learn the plays and trying to get in shape and all those little things that you got to learn as a professional. And that’s coming this year. And he’s been on it, making plays left and right, came in great shape this OTAs. He’s set himself up to have a great training camp.”

Winters only logged 10 tackles and one pass break-up in 2023, spending a majority of his time on special teams. But with openings comes opportunity, one that the Texas native should relishing at over the next month. Especially considering he’s lightning-quick on the field.

49ers rookie LB Dee Winters has some real sideline to sideline speed 👀 pic.twitter.com/UQGpJ2O8a3
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) August 15, 2023

Ezekiel Turner

The safety-turned LB is now in SF, looking to carve out a real role moving forward.

The Washington alum spent the past six years in Arizona, playing in a variety of roles. Like DFF and Winters, Turner has spent a majority of his time on special teams. However, he does have a career 83 combined tackles in 80 career games.

He’s worth watching for a roster spot, especially with Greenlaw going on IR shortly.

Jalen Graham

While Winters got a lot of hype out of OTAs, Jalen Graham could be one to watch over the next month as well.

Graham was entrusted with Mike linebacker duties last preseason, a big nod of confidence from LB coach Johnny Holland. Besides that, the Purdue product had an underwhelming rookie campaign, only active for four contests.

Maybe that will change in Year 2, but it’ll take some work and standout performances on the gridiron.

49ers rookie LB Jalen Graham shoots this gap like a 10 year vet pic.twitter.com/69S7zMQPSA
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) August 15, 2023

Curtis Robinson

The 49ers other veteran special-team LB is looking to get more snaps in 2024. And maybe, now is the time.

Robinson, 26, has only played in nine career games with SF, spending. most of his time on special teams. In that time, he has learned the 49ers’ way, slowly rising up the ranks on defense.

Maybe Holland and new defensive coordinator Nick Sorenson have bigger plans for him in Year 4.

Tatum Bethune (R)

Tatum Bethune was a five-year player in college, starring for UCF and FSU. He played three seasons with the former, and his final two years with the latter. Bethune racked up 339 tackles, 7.5 sacks, ten pass break-ups and four interceptions in five seasons. He has played 61 games as well, showing his durability over a long period of time.

Despite all that, it’ll be a long trek to a roster spot on the 53 in Year 1. The practice squad may be his home after the preseason.