Niner Noise
FanSided

Redrafting the 49ers’ questionable 2014 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 16: Telvin Smith #50 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts in the closing seconds of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 16, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Jaguars defeated the Bears 17-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 16: Telvin Smith #50 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts in the closing seconds of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 16, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Jaguars defeated the Bears 17-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Round 4, Pick No. 129: Linebacker Telvin Smith

Original Pick: Defensive Back Dontae Johnson

Cornerback Dontae Johnson seemed like a good idea at the time. After all, the 6-foot-2 defensive back was supposed to be the epitome of a big-bodied corner capable of locking down the bigger receivers the 49ers would face en route to another playoff push.

But Johnson has increasingly fallen out of favor since his rookie season, as I broke down a while ago.

Related Story: What happened to cornerback Dontae Johnson?

Everyone knows how problematic the Niners linebacker situation became in 2015 and 2016. Injuries, retirements and attrition ended up giving way to inside backers like Nick Bellore and Michael Wilhoite starting in 2016.

San Francisco needed tackling machines, and the team could have had one in now-Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith, taken at No. 144.

Since breaking into the league that season, Smith has logged a solid 269 tackles and 19 passes defended.

It isn’t as if Smith is good at just getting to the ball carrier either. Pro Football Focus handed him an 83.6 overall grade in 2016.