Niner Noise
FanSided

5 NFL Draft Picks that Could Jumpstart the 49ers Rebuild

By Robert Smith

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Jordan Willis (75) tackles Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) during the second half at Liberty Bowl. Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Jordan Willis (75) tackles Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) during the second half at Liberty Bowl. Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan Willis, DE/OLB, Kansas State

Kansas State EDGE Jordan Willis has made a habit of disrupting offenses and causing major problems for Big 12 teams and out-of-conference teams as well.

In 2016, the senior defensive end totaled 11.5 sacks and 52 tackles, 17.5 of those being for losses. At 6-foot-3 and weighing 255 pounds, Willis has good size to collapse the edge on passing downs as well as holding his own on the outside on running plays, as broken down in this scouting profile.

He has the ability of working out of either a 3-4 as an outside linebacker or a 4-3 as a defensive end. That ability could separate him from some of the other edge rushers in this year’s draft.

With new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh implementing a 4-3 hybrid style similar to the Seattle Seahawks defense, the LEO defensive end would be able to play in a stance or stand upright to crash the passing pocket from the edge.

Willis’ quick burst and strength should allow him to provide a consistent rush from the outside and wrap up running backs trying to get free on the outside.

If his two-sack, two-forced fumbles Senior Bowl performance is any indication, Willis could be just what the Niners need along the defensive front to compliment DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead’s inside presence.