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49ers Select Alabama Linebacker Reuben Foster in Pro Football Focus’ Latest NFL Draft Mock

By Peter Panacy

Jan 7, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) speaks to media during the Alabama Crimson Tide media day at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) speaks to media during the Alabama Crimson Tide media day at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Most experts out there are tabbing a quarterback to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 2 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. But Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo has the Niners grabbing Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster in his latest mock.

A general consensus would likely be the San Francisco 49ers taking a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.

Just ask ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who tabs North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky to the Niners in Round 1.

Not everyone feels the same way though.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus released his latest mock draft Wednesday morning. Instead of going the quarterback route, Palazzolo has San Francisco grabbing Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster with the team’s first pick.

Here’s Palazzolo’s breakdown of the selection:

"Another team in need of a quarterback, the 49ers are also lacking a clean fit for new Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s system. The next-best player on the draft board is Alabama interior defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, but with San Francisco’s last two first-round picks coming at a similar position, there are questions about fitting those pieces together efficiently.Instead, San Francisco goes with Allen’s teammate, Foster, to add a three-down presence that will remind fans of Patrick Willis or NaVorro Bowman in their prime.Foster was the nation’s top-graded linebacker, earning a 93.3 overall mark, leading the way against the run at 91.7 and ranking fifth in coverage, at 87.3. With the ability to defeat blocks in the run game and stick with running backs in coverage, Foster’s three-down versatility comes at a time when the league covets it more than ever in an era of spread-heavy offenses."

One should note this was the pick Niner Noise made in a recent Chat Sports Facebook Live mock.

Related Story: 49ers Select ILB Reuben Foster in Chat Sports NFL Draft Mock

Any quarterback in this year’s draft class isn’t worth the No. 2 overall pick. Trading down is an option. But remember, it only works if another team is adamant about moving up in the round in exchange for some likely hefty draft capital, of course.

That complicates things, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Niners stay put.

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Foster would be an immediate upgrade over anything San Francisco’s defense has within its linebacker corps outside of NaVorro Bowman.

Sure, Foster’s recent shoulder surgery raises some concerns. He’ll miss the NFL Scouting Combine, but signs are pointing to him being OK for the start of the regular season.

Next: 5 Bold 49ers Predictions for the 2017 NFL Draft

At any rate, the Niners could sure use someone like Foster in their defense, which allowed more points, yards and rushing yards than any other team in the NFL last season.