49ers need to pull the plug on LB De'Vondre Campbell

The San Francisco 49ers have started to turn their attention to their younger players.

They signaled these changes in their Week 4 win over the New England Patriots. Rookie safety Malik Mustapha made his debut start. He was preferred over George Odom, who was the starting player when Talanoa Hufanga was out.

Rookie cornerback Renardo Green received more snaps than Isaac Yiadom, who was the starter in the nickel defense. Sooner or later, Green will be the undecided starter in nickel. These are some steps the 49ers have taken to further the transition to younger players.

It shouldn't just stay with Mustapha and Green. There is another veteran who needs to make room to continue the movement toward young players. The 49ers need to pull the plug on linebacker De'Vondre Campbell. He appeared in four games as a failed free agent for the 49ers this season.

Campbell was brought in as a placeholder while Dre Greenlaw recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. But he has shown that he is an interchangeable player, especially in pass coverage. He has allowed 17 catches for 168 yards this season, 9.9 yards per catch. Campbell is an automatic first-down conversion when targeted.

It's hard to see what exactly he offers positively to the 49ers. One thing is certain: it brings with it many negative factors without the trajectory being zero. This is Campbell and that's why the Green Bay Packers made him a free agent. The 49ers need to commit to their young players.

The first player they should look to replace Campbell is Dee Winters. He has the quickness to keep up in coverage and break up passes, something Campbell just can't do. That alone makes for an instant upgrade. Winters will certainly have difficulties, but at least he has a good overview. The 49ers don’t have that with Campbell.

What you see is what you get with him, and it doesn't get any better. He will only be a major liability if the 49ers face strong offenses. An example of this is the Los Angeles Rams. Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford, known for their high intelligence, faced Campbell in decisive defeats and succeeded.

Imagine when the 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the coming weeks. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes will circle Campbell. Don't let that happen. Use Winters, Tatum Bethune or the newly signed Jalen Graham there. At least when they get beaten, they can learn from it and get better.

Reduce Campbell to a base linebacker and nothing more. Go with the younger, faster players and see what potential they have.