2016 NFL Draft: LBs Jaylon Smith vs. Myles Jack for 49ers

One of the many positions the San Francisco 49ers will need to address this offseason is linebacker. Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith and UCLA’s Myles Jack are options for the Niners in the 2016 NFL draft. But who is the better choice?

The San Francisco 49ers could go one of many different ways in the upcoming 2016 NFL draft. With so many needs across the board, the Niners’ No. 7 overall pick may simply be utilized to grab the best player available with San Francisco’s number is called.

One of those positions needing to be addressed is at inside linebacker. The 49ers have a hole alongside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, and general manager Trent Baalke may be envisioning a fix here via the draft itself.

Yet San Francisco also needs help at the outside linebacker spot as well.

Assuming Baalke and the Niners go this LB route — and granting this position will be San Francisco’s No. 1 pick — which linebacker should be atop the 49ers’ target list?

Notre Dame inside linebacker Jaylon Smith and UCLA oustide linebacker Myles Jack are two of the higher-ranked prospects possibly available to the Niners at No. 7.

And it’s reasonable to assume either one would be on San Francisco’s watch list.

So let’s make a case for each prospect and determine which player would be the better fit for the 49ers defense in 2016.

The Case for Myles Jack

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. (h/t Cody Williams of FanSided.com) released his most recent mock draft on Thursday and had the 49ers taking Jack with the No. 7 overall pick.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

For those wanting a selection of Cal quarterback Jared Goff, Kiper already mocks him to the Dallas Cowboys, who may be looking for a long-term option for aging veteran signal-caller Tony Romo.

Here’s what Williams wrote of Kiper’s assessment:

"With the 49ers desperately needing to replenish the talent on the defensive side of the ball, Jack is a versatile and incredibly talented linebacker who would be a tremendous step in the right direction."

Indeed, Jack has plenty of talents and would be an immediate complementary piece to fellow outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and a replacement for veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who is seeing his career decline. Jack would also be an upgrade over younger players like Eli Harold and Corey Lemonier.

Jack was limited to just three games in 2015 — his last season with the Bruins, so injury concerns will be there.

But as Rob Rang of CBS Sports states, Jack possesses the type of coverage skills and instincts that could turn him into a Pro Bowl-type player.

If there is an issue here, it’s with Jack’s size. At 6’1″ and 245 pounds, Jack may be a bit undersized for San Francisco’s 3-4 defense. Adding some bulk would help, but it may come at the expense of his coverage abilities.

On top of that, Jack’s numbers at UCLA don’t offer much in the pass rush — a clear need for the Niners defense. Jack recorded just one sack over three collegiate seasons.

The Case for Jaylon Smith

Like Jack, Smith’s injury concerns will also carry over into the 2016 draft. Smith tore his ACL and LCL during the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day but is expected to make a full recovery. The only question is when he would be available to take the field.

And 49ers fans know all-too well about Baalke’s “All-ACL” team.

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) is carted off the field after being injured against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Still, Smith possesses the type of skill set that would be ideal for what San Francisco is seeking to be strong up the middle once more.

Smith’s injury likely keeps him out of the top 10 in the draft. But he probably won’t dip out of Round 1, as Dane Brugler of CBS Sports mocks him currently at No. 29 to the Arizona Cardinals.

The 2015 Consensus All-American is, perhaps, the best pure tackler coming out of the draft this season. He registered 284 total tackles over three seasons with the Fighting Irish as well as 4.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for a loss.

Smith’s coverage skills are also exemplary as well as his pure instincts.

Brugler and Rob Rang of CBS Sports also note he would be a good fit in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, which would play right into San Francisco’s defensive plans.

The only question is whether or not the Niners would want to spend their first-round pick on a player like Smith, who is likely going to drop late into Round 1. Perhaps Baalke trades down. Or, if the 49ers get lucky, Smith stays on the board until the early phases of Round 2.

It’s hard to say.

Both players have injury concerns, but Smith’s recovery time looks to be considerably longer. But if the 49ers are willing to take a gamble on him, Smith may be worth the wait and/or trade-down scenario.

Smith looks to be a better fit in the Niners’ defensive system and would be the perfect complementary piece to Bowman for years to come.

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Regardless, either player would be a substantial upgrade over what San Francisco currently has on the roster. So, should the 49ers think linebacker early, there really isn’t too much wrong with selecting either guy.

Everyone knows the team needs help here.

Next: 2016 NFL Draft: Complete 49ers Mock in Each Round

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

2016 NFL Draft: Jaylon Smith or Myles Jack a Better Fit for San Francisco 49ers?

By Peter Panacy | Feb 18, 2016

One of the many positions the San Francisco 49ers will need to address this offseason is linebacker. Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith and UCLA’s Myles Jack are options for the Niners in the 2016 NFL draft. But who is the better choice?

More from Niner Noise