2016 NFL Draft: Round-by-Round Mock for 49ers

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Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal linebacker Blake Martinez (4) during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5, Pick 142: Blake Martinez, ILB, Stanford

The 49ers are still looking for a long-term replacement for Patrick Willis next to NaVorro Bowman. This isn’t a very good year to draft an inside linebacker, however—the pool is relatively slim, and a lot of teams are in the market for one. There are worse things, however, than settling for Blake Martinez in the fifth round, as he has the tools to eventually work his way into a starting lineup.

Martinez was recruited to Stanford by current 49ers linebackers coach Jason Tarver, so there’s a pre-existing connection there. Tarver, then, knows all about Martinez, one of the strongest pound-for-pound players in college football.

Martinez is a pure downhill player, weaving his way around traffic to deliver blows. He’s very good against the run, maintaining his gap discipline and preventing runners from cutting back.

He’s more of a special teams player than anything—in the current NFL, his lack of speed and quickness is a hindrance—but he does what he does very well, and there’s something to build on there. Not bad at all for a fifth-round pick.

Other players considered:

Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central
Nick Vigil, ILB, Utah State

Next: Round 5, Pick 145