Dre Greenlaw’s impact on the field has been felt ever since his rookie season in 2019. He is credited for saving the 49ers season that year with the number one seed on the line in Week 17. That is why many people inside and outside the building will be saddened to see Dre Greenlaw leave when the 49ers next campaign is finished. There is a consensus within the 49ers organization that Dre Greenlaw is the best tackler, the best box-to-box linebacker, and the tone-setter for the 49ers defense. The 49ers faithful must enjoy the last dance as they simply will not be able to afford him.
ALL GAS, NO BRAKE ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/cuOXBEOljv
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 30, 2019
Dre Greenlaw Is 49ers Best Tackler
Dre Greenlaw burst onto the scene in 2019 when he stopped Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister at the 1-yard line in Week 17 with time expiring, securing the number one seed for the 49ers. This was a sign of things to come as he has continued to show an innate ability to bring down ball carriers at will. He does not give up yards after contact and when he hits the ball carrier, there is no longer any forward momentum. Tackling is an ability that has become somewhat of a long lost art with there being less live contact in practice to protect the players, but not for Greenlaw. That is a big reason he will be a hot commodity come next offseason, and will be sorely missed by everyone in red and gold.
Greenlaw Is 49ers Best Box-To-Box Linebacker
Dre Greenlaw plays alongside Fred Warner who many consider to be the best overall linebacker in the league. This sentiment may very well be true due to Warner’s insane ability in pass-coverage, but Greenlaw is superior between the tackles at the point of attack. Greenlaw is fast enough to close on a hole, strong enough to shed any would-be blockers, and he just doesn’t miss tackles. Greenlaw is no slouch in pass-protection either, but he has to be in the discussion when talking about top level box-to-box linebackers.
Greenlaw The Heartbeat For 49ers Defense
Dre Greenlaw walks that fine line of being aggressive and being over aggressive at times, and every team needs that one guy. He is the tone-setter for the 49ers defense as he hits like a Mack truck, and fires up his fellow defenders as a result. Fred Warner has been on record stating how he tries to emulate Greenlaw’s intensive style of play, but there are just certain things that he is not capable of copying. There is evidence of this in an interview with Matt Maiocco when Warner states, “All the things that he can do in terms of the stuff that he’s got in his body, some of the stuff I just can’t do it.” The 49ers must take advantage of this intensity while they still have it.
Greenlaw’s Super Bowl Injury
Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles during Super Bowl 58, and there are many people around the country who feel the result would have been different if not for the injury. One of these people is his former defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans as he stated in an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, “You hate to say this, but if they had Dre, I feel like the game is different. They have, (it’s) Dre because of the impact plays that he can make.” Though it is unlikely he will be back for training camp, it is important for Greenlaw to make a full recovery before returning. He must show the rest of the league he is back to his old form in order to cash in next offseason.
49ers Greenlaw Going To Be Cap Casualty
The 49ers will have to make some difficult decisions next offseason, as they will try their best to spread money around to retain as many players as they can. Unfortunately for Greenlaw, he will most likely find himself on the other side of the fence. It is highly unlikely that the 49ers will be able to pay two linebackers top dollar, with impending free agents such as Purdy, Hufanga, and Banks looking to cash in. The 49ers must take advantage of this opportunity with an elite linebacker corpse, and most importantly 49ers faithful enjoy the last dance.
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