The San Francisco 49ers switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base defense means changes in how they will use linebackers and defensive linemen. They’ll spend a majority of their defensive snaps in sub-packages, but there are still enough base snaps to go around that there will be some notable changes with the use of only three linebackers, compared to four.
Eli Harold faces a tough competition for playing time at linebacker and defensive end. He confirmed in a recent radio interview with ESPN 941’s Matthew Hatfield that he is playing SAM linebacker in the base defense, and defensive end in the team’s nickel.