Niners’ Lemonier is Coming On in a Rush

When an analyst at NFL.com this week put out his list of the NFL's top rookies at the Week 6 point of this season, the 49ers' Eric Reid was on it.Reid, the former LSU standout safety, was No. 7 on analyst Chris Wesseling's group, with Wesseling noting, "It's not hyperbole to suggest that Reid is a playmaking upgrade on Dashon Goldson. … The first-rounder's range jumps off the screen."But over the past few weeks, another rookie defender has been making a big impact, too: outside linebacker Corey Lemonier. And as the season progresses, it seems more and more likely that Lemonier could make his way on to quite a few "best rookies" lists by the end of the year.Lemonier, from Auburn, has been splitting time with veteran Dan Skuta at right outside linebacker, the position vacated by All-Pro Aldon Smith, who currently is away from the team in a treatment program. It's possible that Smith, who also is dealing with some off-the-field legal issues, may not return this season.According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Lemonier has played 121 snaps, with Skuta getting 95, since Smith left the team.The 49ers drafted Lemonier for his pass-rushing abilities, and he's been...