While veteran De'Vondre Campbell is the favorite to step in at WILL linebacker with Dre Greenlaw not sure when he will be able to return from a torn Achilles, the San Francisco 49ers have another opening at the second level of their defense.

With Greenlaw healthy, Campbell would likely be set to serve as the starting SAM linebacker on base downs. Instead, there are several candidates to play that role for at least some of the season while Greenlaw continues his recovery, though a member of the 2023 draft class appears to be taking the lead in the race to win the job.

San Francisco drafted two linebackers in 2023, picking Dee Winters in the sixth round and Jalen Graham in the seventh.

They are both in the mix to start at SAM linebacker along with veteran special teamer Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.

But if All-Pro MIKE linebacker Fred Warner is to be believed, it is Winters who is the frontrunner.

Winters saw limited time on defense as a rookie, unsurprisingly so given the level of talent ahead of him on the depth chart, but Warner believes the former TCU defender is in a much better position to be ready to be thrown into the fire and made a huge claim about his performance in the 49ers' workout program.

"I think Dee's probably had the best OTAs out of anybody on the team," Warner said. 

"I feel like he's come along since last year. I remember he came in as a rookie, was struggling to learn the plays, and trying to get in shape, and all those little things that you got to learn as a professional.

 "And [he] has come in this year and has just been on it, making plays left and right. He came in great shape this OTAs, and so he's set himself up to have a great training camp. He's going to train hard this summer and have a chance."

With 4.49 speed that allows him to chase sideline to sideline and a history of making plays in the backfield at the collegiate level, Winters projects well as a player who can thrive making plays against the run on base downs and as an extra pass rusher from the linebacker position.

Warner's words suggest that, last year, Winters wasn't in the right physical condition and did not have the requisite understanding of the defense to take advantage of his athletic gifts. 

Now seemingly up to speed, if he can continue to impress in training camp, Winters may well earn an opportunity not only to be a contributor while Greenlaw is on the sideline this year, but also to prove he can be a long-term solution as an every-down linebacker with Warner's longtime running mate poised for unrestricted free agency next offseason.

Talanoa Hufanga’s amusing Malik Mustapha comparison is perfect for how 49ers rookie might be used

He’s been very impressed.