Dee Winters has an opportunity to make a name for himself playing next to Fred Warner. But staying healthy for a full season must come first

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gave rave reviews about now Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw. He told reporters that Denver is getting “a hell of a player” and a “good person” who was one of Shanahan’s favorite players during his time with the 49ers.

Now, the Niners are tasked with replacing Greenlaw, who was as impactful a linebacker in the NFL as it gets when Dre was on the field. Shanahan was asked Tuesday morning at the owner’s meetings if he feels third-year pro Dee Winters is a player who can ascend in Greenlaw’s absence:

“I do. I think he showed splashes of that last year. He played to our style. He loves to run and hit. I think he got a taste of that last year. I think we all did. Now it’s just working on his body and trying to improve and stay healthy through a 17-game season. He’s shown that potential. We’ll bring in some competition in the draft hopefully. We have some younger guys, not many that haven’t played, but it’s going to be a lot of open spots there. I think we have some hungry guys who are excited to earn it.”

“Flashed” is a perfect way to describe Winters. He had several plays where he was in a position to make a play in the backfield, or sniffed out a screen, or took away a route in coverage. He is the prototype and playmaker the Niners need next to Fred Warner.

As Shanahan mentioned, keeping Winters healthy is a priority, which is why the 49ers would bring in competition. Winters is listed at 227, but his reckless style of play, which you need, saw him on the injury report seemingly every week.

The 49ers drafted Tatum Bethune in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Shanahan said he’s another player in the mix to start: Yeah, he is. If you look at our group, they’re all in the mix. Tatum did a good job learning the MIKE linebacker last year, but you wanna know all the spots. He’s a guy capable of doing that. The more reps he gets, the more chance he’ll have.”

Shanahan’s use of the term “run and hit” feels like a not-so-subtle hint at what the 49ers are looking for in linebackers for the upcoming NFL Draft. Will it lead the team to draft a bigger, sturdier body who can hold up for an NFL season?

Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman had the straits and range against the run, but looked a little lost in coverage. Nick Martin from Oklahoma State is a player to whom the Niners have been tied. He fits the mold more than Stutsman, as Martin is a superb athlete and plays violently. Almost a little too aggressive. But that shouldn’t be viewed as a bad thing, as that’s a trait you can harness, as opposed to vice versa and teaching someone to play meaner than they actually are.

More than likely, it’ll be Winters competing with a rookie, unless Bethune takes a step forward. That rookie will also compete to be the third linebacker on early downs. Remember, that’s how Dre Greenlaw started before moving his way inside next to Warner.