A report surfaced about the potential teams interested in San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw on Monday. Those teams were the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans.

Greenlaw is a tricky case in free agency. The talent is undeniable. The type of linebacker any team is getting is the prototype when it comes to attitude and style of play. However, Greenlaw’s wear and tear on his body at his size makes him vulnerable to injury.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Greenlaw is expected to sign a three-year deal worth $35 million. That comes out to $11.66 million annually. Greenlaw’s high ceiling and floor are worth the risk of $11 million. That’s a good deal for Denver. They’re getting a player who was the identity of the 49ers when he was on the field.

It’s also understandable why a team coming off a 6-win season after being plagued by injury isn’t willing to roll the dice on Greenlaw at that price. Dee Winters, who was often on the injury report, flashed in his first season of action.

Linebacker is a position the 49ers have felt comfortable drafting on Day 3 of the NFL Draft and getting production out of players on rookie contracts. Greenlaw’s replacement, whether Winters, Tatum Bethune, or a rookie, will likely be on a rookie contract.