The 49ers new linebacker is turning heads early in the offseason
The San Francisco 49ers went into the offseason in need of a capable linebacker, as Dre Greenlaw suffered an Achilles injury in the Super Bowl that has left his timetable uncertain ahead of the 2024 season.
After a deal with linebacker Eric Kendricks fell apart, the 49ers pivoted to DeVondre Campbell to fill their void, prying the 30-year-old away from the Green Bay Packers with a one-year, $5 million deal.
Campbell was an All-Pro back in 2021, but has seen his play decline in recent years as he’s gotten older. In 11 games this past season, the linebacker racked up 75 tackles and a forced fumble.
The 49ers are hoping that Campbell can return to his old form alongside star Fred Warner as they get insurance for Greenlaw while the latter deals with his significant injury.
What have the early returns been like for Campbell?
“He’s been awesome,” linebackers coach Johnny Holland shared last week. “I’ve been watching him play for a long time, from when he was a rookie in 2016 in Atlanta.”
“It’s his ninth year in the league now, and he’s gravitating to our system. He has such good awareness and courage [and has] his ability to still run and play. We’re excited about having him, and he will fit well in our system.”
Campbell has enjoyed an eight-year tenure in the NFL, which started with the Atlanta Falcons back in 2016. After four years with his original team, Campbell spent the 2020 season with the Arizona Cardinals before playing the last three years with the Green Bay Packers.
During his recent media availability, Holland pointed out Campbell’s frame and length, which he believes should fit well with the 49ers defensive scheme.
“We’re seeing that in him, that he’s flourishing in his ability. He’s long and tall and fits in well with what we do.”
Campbell is joining a linebacker group deep with young talent, as the 49ers return 2023 draftees Dee Winters and Jalen Graham, as well as Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Curtis Robinson. In addition, San Francisco signed special-teams ace Ezekiel Turner and drafted Florida State’s Tatum Bethune in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Campbell is expected to assume the No. 2 linebacker role if Greenlaw misses time, but there should be strong competition during the offseason at linebacker with the amount of emerging young players on the roster at the position.
Last season, the 49ers took six linebackers on their 53-man roster, with Winters and Graham both making it as rookies. The team could follow a similar route this season, with a potential roster spot opening if San Francisco places Greenlaw on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to begin the year.