Early surprise emerges at a key position battle in training camp for the 49ers
Third-year linebacker Dee Winters appears to be the frontrunner for the starting Will LB job through the first couple days of training camp. The WLB plays all three downs alongside Fred Warner, and the absence of a high-level playmaker at the position played a major role in San Francisco's defensive struggles a season ago.
Finding a player to adequately replace Dre Greenlaw after Greenlaw left to join the Denver Broncos in free agency is key for the 49ers re-opening a Super Bowl window. Through two training camp practices signs point toward Winters getting the nod over 2025 third-round pick Nick Martin.
Winters has gotten the first-team WLB reps to open camp, and Warner has noticed an improvement in the 24-year-old.
"I've seen a lot of growth, honestly,' Warner told reporters on Wednesday. 'I've seen a guy who's ready to take that next step. You know, Dee has flashed in a big way through his first two seasons. And I think Year 3 is that year where it's like, 'Man, I know the system. I know what I needed to do in the offseason. And now it's time for me to take control and really put it on tape.' I'm excited for Dee, really.'
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh hasn't been with the 49ers while Winters has been with the club, but he noted Thursday in a press conference that injuries and the roster have never allowed Winters to take any substantial leap.
"And so again just like any young guy, the only way they're going to get better is with reps," Saleh said. "And so young guys like Dee, their growth can get stunted when they're sitting on the bench just watching. There's nothing like doing. And so he had an opportunity the last half of last year to get some reps in and it just feels like every day he's learning something again, just through repetition. So, knock on wood, hopefully he can continue to stay healthy and absorb every single one of these reps and learn all the nuance that's required to play linebacker. I think if he does, he's going to be a fun player to watch.'
It's a bit of a surprise that Winters burst on the scene this way. Last season was a mixed bag in his 398 defensive snaps. The 49ers went so far as to select Martin in the third round of this year's draft. That choice was a clear indication that San Francisco felt the need to draft a potential starter at WLB.
Our assumption entering camp was that Martin would have the inside track to one of the most important open starting jobs on the 49ers' roster. Early indications are that that assumption was incorrect. If Winters plays well enough to earn the nod over the rookie third-round pick, it would be a great sign for San Francisco's defense as it tries to bounce back from its dreary 2024 performance.
More 49ers: Future Hall of Famer explains why it 'sucks' practicing against 49ers' top draft pick
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