One of the San Francisco 49ers' most significant offseason departures was linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who signed with the Denver Broncos after six seasons in Santa Clara. Replacing him will be a top priority, and one internal candidate is third-year linebacker Dee Winters.
"He plays to our style," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week of Winters. "He loves to run and hit. I think he got a taste of that last year. I think we all did. And now, I think he's just working on his body, trying to improve so he can stay healthy and play the way that he does through a 17-game season.
"But he's shown that potential, and we'll bring in some competition here in the draft, hopefully."
In his latest mock draft for CBS Sports, Chris Trapasso projects the 49ers to address the linebacker position in the first round. He has Shanahan and company selecting Alabama's Jihaad Campbell with the 11th overall pick.
"The 49ers aim for the super-dynamic pairing of Campbell and [Fred] Warner on the defense," Trapasso wrote.
Campbell had an outstanding 2024 season, recording 117 tackles (12 for a loss), five sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed, according to Sports Reference.
Pro Football Focus ranked him as the top linebacker on its big board and the 10th overall prospect in the draft.
"Campbell has the ideal build and athletic ability to play any linebacker spot, but he projects best to a Mike or Sam LB in 4-3 schemes or a Mike/EDGE in a 3-4," Pro Football Focus wrote. "He must continue to develop anticipation and strength, but he has the mold of an All-Pro player."