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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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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland celebrates with the CFP trophy following the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland celebrates with the CFP trophy following the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Inside Linebacker Reggie Ragland, Alabama

6’2″, 252 pounds

One of the more enticing prospects the 49ers may be watching is Alabama inside linebacker Reggie Ragland.

It’s clear San Francisco needs a stalwart middle linebacker to pair with perennial Pro Bowler NaVorro Bowman. Fellow ILBs Michael Wilhoite and Gerald Hodges are better suited as backups, and the 49ers would benefit from, once again, being strong up the middle as was seen in the days of Bowman and retired linebacker Patrick Willis.

Ragland, a Round 1 target, may be a surprising move should the 49ers go that route with their first pick in the draft.

But shoring up the defense is never a bad idea, given head coach Chip Kelly’s offense and the notion of how it taxes the other side of the ball.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller spoke with Joe Fann of 49ers.com and described what he’s looking for out of Ragland at the Senior Bowl.

“I think the seventh pick could be early for him, but it would be a great fit (in San Francisco),” Miller said. “He’s an amazing, sideline-to-sideline player. He’s aggressive. He’s physical. He can definitely play inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Everything he does is impressive. He can stack up blockers. He can make stops in the run game.

“I want to see the continued athleticism. I want to know how fast he’s going to run. I think the agility drills is where he can really stand out.”

Miller also noted Ragland won’t drop out of the first round, so the Niners would have to be willing to take a shot, defensively, with their first pick here.

Next: QB Carson Wentz