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2016 Senior Bowl: 5 Prospects the San Francisco 49ers Should Watch

By Peter Panacy

Jan 9, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; North Dakota State Bison quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts after the game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the FCS Championship college football game at Toyota Stadium. North Dakota State won the championship 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; North Dakota State Bison quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts after the game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the FCS Championship college football game at Toyota Stadium. North Dakota State won the championship 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 31, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Utah State Aggies linebacker Kyler Fackrell (9) leaves the game against the Tennessee Volunteers with an injury during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Utah State Aggies linebacker Kyler Fackrell (9) leaves the game against the Tennessee Volunteers with an injury during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Outside Linebacker Kyler Fackrell, Utah State

6’5″, 250 pounds

The 49ers are going to need some pass-rushing help to complement outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, and it’s clear veteran OLB Ahmad Brooks’ future in San Francisco isn’t going to last much longer.

Utah State outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell is a tackling machine and has a skill set to disrupt the pocket, bring down ball-carriers and limit opposing offenses at the point of attack — attributes the Niners are desperately seeking for their young defense.

Fackrell, who will likely go in Round 3 or 4, would be an immediate upgrade over incumbent young players like Corey Lemonier and, possibly, Eli Harold at the position.

Here’s what Bucky Brooks of NFL.com had to say about the Utah State prospect:

"As one of the few experienced hybrids in the 2016 class, Fackrell offers an intriguing mix of rush skills and disruptive playmaking ability off the edge. However, scouts will want to see if the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder has the athleticism to drop into coverage or create chaos as a “sideline-to-sideline” defender in a 4-3 scheme."

Note Brooks touting Fackrell’s abilities in a 4-3 defense. That does create some obstacles for Fackrell to the 49ers given they won’t switch from their 3-4.

But if San Francisco elects to use Fackrell exclusively as an edge rusher — at least early on in his pro career — the transition may not be as difficult for the 6’5″ talent.

Next: ILB Reggie Ragland