San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is learning a lot about his players during training camp, and part of that evaluation involves experimenting with their versatility.
The 49ers selected linebacker Jaden Dugger in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and many viewed the rookie as a strong value pick who could become a key contributor down the road.
Although Dugger remains a raw developmental prospect, he has already demonstrated the ability to line up at multiple positions. Morris and his coaching staff have experimented with moving him around the defensive front. While some of that has been driven by training camp injuries that have affected the 49ers' depth, it also reflects the coaching staff's desire to see how much responsibility Dugger can handle in different roles.
On Thursday, Dugger worked with the first-team defense while continuing to rotate between several positions.
Morris was asked whether the 49ers are intentionally cross-training Dugger and what the team's long-term vision is for the rookie linebacker.
"I think that's kind of the theme throughout the course of training camp," Morris said. "You get into camp, you put people in positions, you let them grow, you let them learn, you let them get comfortable. Then you find a way as a coach to make them uncomfortable. Then that really breeds understanding, and that really lets you know how these guys are really understanding the whole entirety of the defense, what their brothers are doing, what their people are doing around them.
"This game is played from the neck up. Plays are made when opportunity and technique meet. If you can just take the opportunity and technique and put it together at that position when you're there, and be where you are, be where your feet are, I think that's the best course of action for our guys."
Morris explained that his defense is built around versatility, with certain hybrid roles even earning unique nicknames. One example is the "fever backer," a role that appears to align with what the 49ers envision for players like Dugger.
"Stand-up guys that can move around," Morris said. "Those 'fever backers' are kind of those guys that bring you subtle changes, subtle different things. They can do different things. They can play star for you. They can play outside edge and play sort of a big nickel. They can get at the line of scrimmage. They can use their hands, do a couple different things.
"We've got a couple different terms for what those styles look like and what they feel like in order to get guys lined up, put them on paper ... All the unique things that these guys can do, you want to find ways to use them. We've got some guys on our team that got some real unique skill sets."
Another versatile player on the 49ers' defense is second-year cornerback Upton Stout, who is expected to start at the nickel position. Morris was asked whether Stout could eventually see time at other spots—perhaps even at safety.
"It depends on the demeanor," Morris said. "Stout can play whatever he wants. Stout can play linebacker, Stout can play safety, Stout can play corner. Right now, he is our starting star. He's our starting nickel. Him going out there playing at a very high level with his hand usage, his ability to get up to the pass rush, his ability to pass rush, his ability to use his short-space quickness, defend anything, whether it be zone, whether it be man.
"Highly competitive young man. Stays angry every single day. I love him. He's got the mindset of a football player, and he's got the mentality of a football player, and he certainly has the movement and the skill set of a football player."
Morris added that Dugger and Stout are far from the only defenders capable of filling multiple roles. The 49ers have also rotated cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green between the outside cornerback spots, while defensive back Siran Neal has taken snaps at both safety and cornerback. Jack Jones has moved around.
Lenoir even spent time in the slot this week.
You never know if that versatility could become a necessity during the season.
"When things happen in the game, something goes out through the course of the game, you want to be able to have an answer," Morris explained. "It's our job as coaches to have an answer for our head coach when something goes wrong. What are we going to do, and what our plan is? It may not be the right plan, it may not be the right decision, but you better have one."
Comments