One of San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's biggest calling cards is the fact he can develop linebackers.
Case in point, under Saleh's tutelage, the Niners have churned out well-known linebacker names like All-Pro Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and even Azeez Al-Shaair.
Undrafted rookie Stone Blanton might be next in line. Well, at least down the line but not too far away.
OK, the former Mississippi State backer isn't (and probably never will be) on Warner or Greenlaw's level. And Blanton wasn't even a priority San Francisco undrafted free-agent priority, only joining the 49ers weeks after the 2025 NFL Draft concluded.
That said, Blanton looks to be one of Saleh and linebackers coach Johnny Holland's project pieces.
From Holland, via Niners Nation:
"I saw ball production in college. I saw a violent player who could play multiple positions. He’s been everything we look for here. He’s getting better and better. He takes coaching very well. He corrects stuff the next time he’s up. We’re excited for him. He’s going to be a good asset for us."
Comparing Blanton to Al-Shaair, who's now under the direction of another former Saleh assistant, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, might be the better route to take. Al-Shaair went undrafted and required some refinement and opportunity to steer his way toward a prominent role.
While Blanton's path is already obstructed by many depth pieces behind Warner -- Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune, Curtis Robinson and rookie Nick Martin -- it's not too difficult to see how Saleh might want the undrafted rookie around as a work in progress.
After all, Al-Shaair took two years before emerging as a starter. Blanton might want to copy that kind of trajectory.
If Saleh's work pans out, Blanton might be one of those names to watch in a year's time, especially if he begins impressing early during training camp and in the preseason.
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