Tatum Bethune, a seventh-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2024 NFL Draft, is at risk of failing to secure a spot on the team’s 53-man roster as the regular season approaches. As a linebacker from Florida State, Bethune was expected to provide much-needed depth to the 49ers’ defense, especially with Oren Burks departing in free agency and Dre Greenlaw potentially sidelined early in the season due to an Achilles injury from the Super Bowl. However, limitations in his skill set are making his chances of staying on the main roster increasingly slim.
Tatum Bethune’s Journey
Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 229 pounds, Bethune is not the prototypical NFL linebacker in terms of physical attributes. Nonetheless, he impressed at Florida State with 70 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one interception in his final college season. His football IQ, field coverage, and versatility in defensive situations caught the attention of the 49ers, despite being selected at the 251st overall pick.
Bethune is also highly regarded for his special teams ability, a critical factor for late-round rookies to secure a roster spot. He demonstrated effectiveness in blitz situations, recording three quarterback pressures during the 2023 season at Florida State.
Major Challenge: Tackling Issues
Despite his promising qualities, Bethune faces a significant hurdle: a high rate of missed tackles. According to NFL.com, analyst Lance Zierlein noted that Bethune “has an unorthodox playing style and misses more tackles than expected.” This is particularly concerning for the 49ers, whose defense boasted the second-lowest missed tackle count in the league last season, with only 69 misses.
Other scouting reports highlight Bethune’s lack of chase-down speed, which hinders his ability to complete tackles when opponents break through. While improving physical strength could address this weakness, the 49ers’ talented linebacker corps leaves little room for error.
Fierce Roster Competition
The 49ers’ linebacker unit is among the NFL’s strongest, led by All-Pro Fred Warner and De’Vondre Campbell. Additionally, young players like Dee Winters, Jalen Graham, and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles are fiercely competing for backup roles and special teams contributions. If the 49ers opt to keep six linebackers on the main roster, Bethune must outshine competitors like Graham and Winters to secure a spot.
Greenlaw’s potential absence early in the season due to injury provides an opportunity for Bethune to prove his worth, but he must significantly improve his tackling and stand out on special teams to convince the coaching staff. Otherwise, he risks being cut or relegated to the practice squad.
Last Chance: Preseason and Special Teams
The preseason will be Bethune’s final opportunity to demonstrate he deserves a roster spot. His special teams ability could be his ticket to impress head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. Reports from the 49ers indicate that Bethune has quickly built a strong rapport with linebackers coach Johnny Holland, which could aid his development.
However, with a Super Bowl-contending team like the 49ers, the margin for error is razor-thin. Bethune must show significant improvement in tackling and special teams contributions to avoid being left off the main roster.
Conclusion
Tatum Bethune stands at a critical juncture in his young NFL career. With attributes like football intelligence and determination, he has the potential to make an impact. However, his tackling deficiencies and the intense competition within the 49ers’ roster place him in a precarious position. Can Bethune rise to the challenge and secure a spot for the 2024 season? His performance in the upcoming preseason games will provide the answer.