San Francisco 49ers: Candidates to lose playing time in 2018

There is set to be increased competition for places on the 49ers’ roster in 2018, here we look at five players who could lose playing time as a result.

In the second year of their rebuild, there is competition for places on the San Francisco 49ers roster that did not exist in 2017. As a result there are a number of players on both sides of the ball who featured on a high percentage of the snaps last year but who may be set for a decrease in their playing time in 2018.

Here we look at five such players who, for a variety of reasons, could be set to spend more of this coming campaign on the sideline than on the field.

All snap percentage numbers courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

Eli Harold

He may have only played 40.18 percent of the defensive snaps, but some may see that as far too many for Harold given his general lack of impact since being drafted by the 49ers in 2017. Harold has just five sacks in three seasons with the team and, though he is still seen as the 49ers’ presumptive starter at SAM linebacker, appears to carry little value to the team as a pass rusher.

Indeed, as Joe Fann of 49ers.com noted, in obvious passing situations, both Cassius Marsh and Jeremiah Attaochu saw the field ahead of Harold at mandatory minicamp.

With the nickel defense, in which a SAM backer is not required, effectively becoming the base defense in the NFL, the opportunities for Harold to see the field will be fewer if he cannot leapfrog Marsh or Attaochu and be trusted to serve as an edge rusher in clear passing situations.

Harold has done little to suggest he deserves such a responsibility and a season of restricted playing time in a contract year would be fitting for a player who has never looked like delivering on his potential.