49ers Rookie LB Tatum Bethune Compares Himself to Dre Greenlaw

The 49ers need a linebacker to replace Dre Greenlaw while he recovers from a torn Achilles.

They signed De'Vondre Campbell, but he's also 31 -- his career is almost over. He's just a placeholder, not an actual replacement for Greenlaw, who is the most violent member of the 49ers defense. The 49ers need a tone-setter on the field.

That's why they drafted Tatum Bethune in Round 7 this year. He patterns his game after Greenlaw.

"The guy who I actually watched this past season was Greenlaw because the way he just showed his passion on the field and he’s always around the ball," Bethune said. "His physicality, it reminded me a lot of myself. So yeah, I’m pretty sure the whole college football world knows about the linebacker corps at the 49ers."

Both Greenlaw and Bethune are 5'11" -- short for linebackers. And both ran their 40s in the 4.7s, which isn't particularly fast for their position. But both of them play fast, hit hard and excel in pass coverage.

"After practice, I would get releases like I was at corner sometimes, just working on moving my feet and staying on the hip," Bethune said. "So just being around the DBs played a huge part. The NFL is now becoming a passing league more and more each year. So just being able to run, and be able to stop the run that would be good for me."

Bethune most likely will start his career playing special teams, but if a veteran struggles, he'll get his opportunity to show how much in common he really has with Greenlaw.