The San Francisco 49ers drafted Eli Harold in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, with an eye on developing him into their next great pass rushing 3-4 outside linebacker.
Things haven’t worked out that way so far, with Harold working under three different defensive coordinators in his first three seasons and having to adapt his weight to the differing demands placed on him.
Now, for the first time in his NFL career, Harold enters training camp with the same defensive coordinator that he ended the previous season with. That consistency should serve him well, as he acclimatizes further to the SAM role in the 49ers’ 4-3 scheme, where he is primarily a run stopper and flats coverage player, as well as seeing more reps as a possible nickel edge rusher.