The initial plan was for the 49ers to get Aldon Smith on the field quickly, but his exact role remains uncertain. "The team ultimately plans on playing the first round pick all over the field, at right and left outside linebacker, and as a defensive end on passing downs," writes Dan Pompei of The National Football Post. "Given the fact that the 49ers haven't been able to work with Smith all offseason, the chances of him being able to integrate everything he needs to know to play everywhere before the start of the season aren't good. So what could happen is Smith will start out as a nickel rush end. Then maybe he graduates to playing linebacker on one side on first and second down."