Niner Noise
FanSided

2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers First Round Big Board

By Nicholas McGee

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) after intercepting pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) celebrates with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) after intercepting pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1-5

Myles Garrett

There doesn’t need to be any thought put into this one from the 49ers’ perspective. If the Browns, for some inexplicable reason, do not take Garrett with the first overall pick, then the Niners need to sprint to the podium to hand their pick in.

Garrett explodes off the edge, displays great power and has a full arsenal of pass rush tools in his locker. He can bull rush, boasts both an inside move and a spin move and demonstrates bend and dip off the edge.

He is a perfect fit to to be the 49ers’ LEO pass rusher going forward and would immediately and substantially improve a pass rush in desperate need of fresh blood.

Marshon Lattimore

The 49ers have a hole at starting cornerback following Tramaine Brock’s release, and Marshon Lattimore is the perfect man to fill it.

Inexperienced and having previously been hampered by hamstring issues, there are legitimate concerns around Lattimore. However, he is an athletically gifted corner with the ball skills to make an impact at the next level.

Lattimore posted four interceptions and nine pass breakups in his sole season as a starter, which saw him display the patience in press coverage to keep himself square as well as the athleticism to turn his hips quickly.

A corner who often runs better routes than his opposing receiver, Lattimore has the long speed to stay in stride with wideouts and put himself in position to make plays on the ball. He is a finisher with a nose for the football who hits with force in the run game and deserves his status as one of the favorites to be taken by the 49ers with the No. 2 pick.

Malik Hooker

The 49ers’ new defense run by Robert Saleh requires a single-high safety, and the prototype for that position in this year’s class is Malik Hooker.

As with his Ohio State teammate Lattimore, inexperience is the knock on Hooker, but there is no doubting his sideline-to-sideline range, his recognition and read-react skills and his ability to go up and compete for the ball at its highest point.

Able to mirror and stay with quicker receivers and close quickly downhill in the run game, Hooker is a plug-and-play free safety who would allow Eric Reid to drop into the box and Jimmie Ward to stay at corner.

Solomon Thomas

Probably the biggest debate among 49ers fans during draft season — aside from the discussion surrounding the quarterback they should take — has been over whether Solomon Thomas is a fit on the new four-man defensive line.

Thomas may be too small to operate on the inside in a 4-3 and is unlikely to start in that position with Earl Mitchell set to play the 1-technique and DeForest Buckner lined up as a potential 3-tech.

It remains to be seen whether he has the quickness to hold up as a true edge rusher in a 4-3, but the evidence from his time at Stanford suggests he does.

While playing for the Cardinal Thomas demonstrated power and length as well as quickness, generating rapid penetration against both the run and the pass. With a swim move to win inside and impressive closing speed, Thomas — who also does a good job of disengaging from run blocks — should be able to have an influence in the pros.

Yet, with the Niners needing to accommodate Buckner and Arik Armstead and in need of a pass rusher who can bend, Thomas may not be a fit.

Reuben Foster

San Francisco is in dire need of some athleticism at linebacker to help out NaVorro Bowman, who may have lost another step after tearing his Achilles last season.

Malcolm Smith was one of the more underwhelming acquisitions of the free agency period and the 49ers could do worse than to take the player who could prove Bowman’s successor in Reuben Foster.

Having held up against receivers in the slot at Alabama, Foster is more than proficient enough to be deployed in coverage, can play sideline-to-sideline and attack downhill in a hurry. He is disciplined and rarely allows running backs to break contain, punishing ball-carriers upon contact.

At present, the 49ers linebacking core looks below par. Foster could change that and help extend Bowman’s career.