The 49ers just announced they’ve signed former Miami Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler to a one-year contract.
Wheeler (30) has been a 4-3 strong-side outside linebacker most of his career. If he makes the 49ers’ final roster, he probably will play right inside linebacker — what coaches call the “Mike” linebacker.
In 384 snaps last season, Wheeler earned a plus-7.2 run-defense grade and a minus-4.2 pass-defense grade from Pro Football Focus. Maybe the 49ers plan on platooning him with Michael Wilhoite — Wheeler in the base defense and Wilhoite in the sub-packages.
Do you think this signing indicates the 49ers will not draft an inside linebacker during the first few rounds of the upcoming draft?