I don’t think he can be a backup NT at 245 lbs.

Our defense was so atrocious last year, Pioli and Co are looking anywhere they can for defensive players who can perform. They obviously feel that our D-line needs to be built with young players who will be here for years to come and that our LBs can be re-hashed vets from 3-4 defenses (I think they’ll bring in Foote). This kid likely won’t make the 53 man roster but it doesn’t hurt to give him a chance.

He’d almost have to be working out as a linebacker. He’s way to skinny (at least at this point) to be anything else. Although if he can bulk up over the next couple years, he could eventually move to the D-line. If he ends up being a good special teamer then it will definitely help him.

Looks like to me he is an OLB hand down type pass rusher. Also an interesting projection to put him down on the line on 3rd downs inside. I see it as an experiment and project, but hey why not. Plus just looking at his frame I think he could put on 25 pounds of muscle pretty easily, if he can keep speed with that could be an interesting prospect.

If he can make an impact on special teams while we find out…….then I say keep him for a year and see how he can develop. I probably get way too excited about these type of signings, but its amazing to me how many good players are in the league that were undrafted or low rounders, and how many high rounders never make an impact. For some reason this kid interests me in the ways that he might be effective.

Those measurables are probably from when he came to ‘Bama out of high school. As a senior, he was listed at 6’6" 278. He’s really beefed up since Nick Saban replaced Mike Shula a few years ago.

He is not really a guy that could play on his feet, like some here have suggested. He’s fairly quick in a straight line, but really a guy with a great deal of lateral mobility. Definitely a high-motor guy who plays his assignments to a ‘T’ and and is excellent against the run. A key thing with him is that he plays to the whistle and will chase plays downfield even after the ball passes the line of scrimmage. He did play a hybrid DE/DT role in Saban’s defense: he would squeeze down to DT when the OLB/DE ‘Jack’ linebacker came up and played with a hand down. So, yes, he brings the versatility that Pioli likes.

Greenwood’s role in the ’Bama’s defense was actually fairly similar to what the Chiefs want out of Tyson Jackson. Play the run, tie up blockers, force plays outside to the linebackers, and generate some pressure, but not necessarily many sacks.

To me, he’s still a work-in-progress, physically speaking: He can still get bigger and stronger. Athletically, though, I don’t think he has huge upside. He will work hard in whatever they ask him to do

This is a picture of what Greenwood looks like these days. I’m fairly certain the picture above was from his sophomore year.

Don’t sleep on Wallace Gilberry, who’s on the roster from last year. He played in the 3-4 at ‘Bama for a year and was pretty productive at the ’true’ DE spot opposite from Greenwood.

He’s undersized and not very athletic, but he doesn’t quit and he’s versatile.

That being said, he’s probably more likely to get cut than Greenwood is.