With free agency just weeks away, the San Francisco 49ers could be in the market for a linebacker to replace Dre Greenlaw. The fan-favorite defender appeared in only two games last season after returning from an Achilles injury, only to suffer a setback that sidelined him for the final two games.
Pro Football Network's Ben Rolfe recently projected one free-agent signing for each NFL team (h/t Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated). For the 49ers, he envisions a pairing of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton with Fred Warner.
"The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a tough season, but they are in a relatively good position regarding their roster as a whole," Rolfe explained. "The main positions they need to address are offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker.
"It is intriguing to put a player like Nick Bolton next to Fred Warner. Bolton was the centerpiece of the Chiefs' [defense] and has the chance to be Warner's long-term partner in the center of the 49ers defense. We have seen that the 49ers place a high importance on the position and Bolton could be the next evolution of that."
Bolton has been a key contributor for the Chiefs, coming off a season in which he recorded 106 tackles, three sacks, six passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble. However, his career-high 23 missed tackles (per Pro Football Focus) could give the 49ers some hesitation.
"Bolton has three 100-tackle seasons in his first four years and has also proven a nuisance around the quarterback," Rolfe continued. "He is a versatile piece that feels like a luxury for the 49ers, but he can get after the passer or drop into coverage. The thought of Warner and Bolton together in a defense will be terrifying for opposing offenses."