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2017 NFL Draft: Post-Free Agency 49ers 7-Round Mock

By Logan Stanley

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Youngstown defensive end Derek Rivers speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 4, No. 109: DE Derek Rivers

Top 300 ranking: 110

The 49ers have invested in their defensive line over the past two drafts. It’s the first step in creating a defensive powerhouse.

Build the line up, place some linebackers behind them — that was the nexus of those great 2011-2013 San Francisco teams.

Youngstown State defensive lineman Derek Rivers is who the 49ers go with in Round 4.

Rivers is acutely strong. Here he is at the Senior Bowl bench pressing 225 pounds 32 times like it’s nothing (from Clif Marshall of Ignition APG):

And it’s not like Rivers is just weight room strong. That strength translates to the field (via Ben Fennell):

Rivers could slide in as the right defensive end (referred to as “LEO”). Aaron Lynch occupies that spot, usually reserved for the team’s best pass-rusher. But Lynch has been inconsistent and is coming off a season in which he served a four-game suspension for failing a drug test. Rivers is a prime candidate for LEO.