There was plenty for the San Francisco 49ers to evaluate in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. The 49ers ultimately fell 19-13, but the result wasn't nearly as important as getting some of the team's young players on the field and seeing how they responded to their first taste of NFL action. One rookie who continued to turn heads was fifth-round linebacker Jaden Dugger.
Dugger, the number 154 overall pick out of Louisiana, has been one of the more intriguing young players throughout training camp. The 6-foot-5, 242-pound linebacker has been used in a variety of roles by defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, including at linebacker, along the defensive line and in the team's "fever-backer" role.
That versatility was on display against Tennessee, and Morris came away impressed with what he saw. When asked specifically what stood out about Dugger's performance, Morris didn't hesitate. "I saw a guy out there that looked like he belongs, number one, first and foremost," Morris said. "I saw a guy that showed great length. Saw a guy that showed great range and speed to be able to track tackle."
That's obviously encouraging to hear from the man responsible for developing Dugger within the 49ers' new defensive system. But Morris also made it clear that Dugger is far from a finished product.
"I saw a guy out there that had a couple of learning things he needs to do and when he can take his risk, when he can absolutely let the trigger go," Morris continued. "And I saw a guy that can really help himself by getting on and off blocks a little bit faster."
Those are some of the things that shouldn't come as a surprise with Dugger. The rookie entered the NFL with plenty of physical tools, but is still learning how to consistently play linebacker after spending the early portion of his college career at safety. NFL.com described him as a rangy former safety who was still in the early stages of learning the off-ball linebacker position, while also pointing out his ability to chase down wide runs and finish tackles in space.
That's part of what makes Dugger so interesting. The physical traits are already there. Now it's about getting him to play with the instincts and consistency necessary to take advantage of them.
Morris said Dugger showed progress as the game went along, something that was particularly encouraging to the defensive coordinator. "I saw some good things. I saw some bad things," Morris said. "But overall, I was very pleased with the things that he was able to do and how he grew throughout the course of the game, just in his communication, coming to the sideline, whether it was a mistake or whether it was him explaining exactly what he did, if it was right."
That last part might be just as important as anything Dugger did physically. For a rookie who's being asked to learn multiple positions and responsibilities, having the ability to communicate with coaches and teammates and immediately process corrections is critical.
Morris also said Dugger has done a "wonderful job" absorbing the different roles he's been asked to play during camp. "One day, being able to practice with a D-Line, one day being able to practice at a stand-up linebacker. One day being able to practice from the moving around positions," Morris said. "I just think he's done such a great job. Him and Romello [Height] both."
Against Tennessee, the numbers weren't necessarily eye-popping, but that's not really what Morris was focused on. The 49ers' defensive coordinator said Dugger made a nice tackle early in the game and had several positive plays, while also leaving some things open that needed to be corrected. Morris said the nerves eventually disappeared and the young defender began playing faster.
That's probably the biggest takeaway from Dugger's preseason debut. There are going to be mistakes. He's a fifth-round rookie playing a new position at the NFL level while being asked to learn multiple responsibilities. But if Dugger can continue to show the length, range, and speed that Morris praised while improving his ability to diagnose plays and shed blocks, the 49ers may have found themselves a very interesting piece for this defense.
And Morris' overall assessment was about as positive as you could reasonably expect after a rookie's first preseason game. "I was really pleased with the things he was able to do and how he grew throughout the course of the game," Morris said.
For a fifth-round pick still learning the position, that's a pretty good place to start. And when you consider what the 49ers have done with some of their other fifth-round selections (like George Kittle, Dre Greenlaw, Deommodore Lenoir, Talanoa Hufanga), there's no reason to doubt Dugger can make an impact.
More info on: Jaden Dugger, Dre Greenlaw, Romello Height, George Kittle, Deommodore Lenoir
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