49ers: Full Position Breakdown and Depth-Chart Analysis at Outside Linebacker

The San Francisco 49ers have five outside linebackers who matter: Aldon Smith, Aaron Lynch, Ahmad Brooks, Eli Harold and Corey Lemonier.

All five probably won’t make the team, though. The Niners need no more than four, considering no more than three typically play in a game. But the Niners probably can’t cut any of their top five outside linebackers.

You could make an argument for cutting third-year outside linebacker Corey Lemonier, who has done next to nothing so far in his career. But the Niners spent a third-round pick on him in 2013. They can’t give up on him yet. As long as he’s young (23), he still has value.

It seems they might have to trade Lemonier or one of the other outside linebackers during the preseason.

Until then, here’s a complete breakdown of the San Francisco’s depth chart at outside linebacker.

5. Corey Lemonier, Third Season

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Head coach Jim Tomsula raved about third-year outside linebacker Corey Lemonier during OTAs. “He’s doing well and I’m excited for Corey, I am,” said Tomsula. “He’s coming along. He’s doing a great job with knowing the defense and he’s bending moving…he can get off the rock.”

Don’t buy it.

Lemonier has demonstrated no ability as a pass-rusher in games or practices. During his first two seasons in the NFL, he had one sack in 449 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. He doesn’t use his hands, and he doesn't have counter moves; he just tries to rush around the edge or right through the offensive lineman. Most of the time, Lemonier gets tied up.

From what I saw during OTAs and minicamp, Lemonier hasn’t changed. He still loses almost every one-on-one competition during pass-rush drills, as opposed to rookie Eli Harold, who wins frequently.

Maybe the Niners can trade Lemonier during the preseason if he plays well. Otherwise, they’re probably stuck with him.

4. Eli Harold, Rookie

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With Aldon Smith nursing an injured toe, rookie outside linebacker Eli Harold was the star of the Niners’ outside linebackers during OTAs and minicamp.

His first step was quicker than any other pass-rusher on the practice field. Most of the Niners’ edge-rushers don’t win with quickness. They use their long arms and violent hands to knock offensive linemen off balance.

Harold uses his quickness to explode past a tackle before he can get out of his stance. He is totally unique to the Niners defense.

He may not play much early in the season—he’s stuck behind a few veterans. But Harold should get a chance to play as the season goes on and the veterans get injured. If the rookie flashes like he flashed during minicamp, the Niners won’t be able to take him off the field.

3. Aaron Lynch, Second Season

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By Week 11 last season, 2014 fifth-round pick Aaron Lynch had taken veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks’ place in the 49ers' sub-packages. Lynch was only 21. It was a foregone conclusion he would take Brooks’ starting job in 2015; it seemed like a natural progression.

But Lynch missed most of OTAs and all of minicamp with a pulled hamstring, and Brooks showed up and played well. Last season, Brooks came to training camp overweight and out of shape. This season he looks trim and motivated—like the player he was in 2013.

Lynch might have to spend one more year on the bench behind Brooks.

2. Ahmad Brooks, Ninth Season

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Thirty-one-year-old outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks was a Pro Bowler in 2013 and a crucial member of the Niners defense. He made the tackle at the goal line on 4th-and-1 when Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton tried to sneak the ball into the end zone in the divisional round.

That was only 18 months ago.

Is Brooks on the verge of another Pro Bowl season? Perhaps. Next season is a de facto contract season for him, because his cap hit jumps to $9.68 million in 2016, according to Spotrac. The Niners probably would cut him before they paid him that much money.

So Brooks seems to be treating 2015 as a contract season. He showed up for the entire offseason program and participated in every drill like he was an undrafted rookie. He seems well-conditioned and light on his feet—much lighter than last year.

Don't sleep on Brooks next season.

1. Aldon Smith, Fifth Season

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At his best, fifth-year outside linebacker Aldon Smith is the 49ers’ most valuable player and one of the most valuable players in the NFL.

But he hasn’t been at his best since he crashed his truck into a tree in 2013. Since then, he has made just six sacks in 15 regular-season games. He wasn’t even the Niners’ best pass-rusher last season—Aaron Lynch was.

Next season, Aldon Smith will have to play without Justin Smith, who routinely tied up multiple blockers and created advantageous one-on-one matchups for Aldon. Now Aldon is the one who has to deal with the double-teams. 

Next season should be his toughest yet. If he can't rise to the challenge, he might be a goner next year. And Lynch or Harold might take his place atop the depth chart at outside linebacker.

All quotations and practice observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow @grantcohn.