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2018 NFL Draft: 49ers options to replace NaVorro Bowman at inside linebacker

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with NaVorro Bowman this week, meaning there’s a substantial void at linebacker to be filled likely via the 2018 NFL Draft.

San Francisco 49ers fans are likely still reeling from the team’s decision to part ways with veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman on Friday.

We can debate whether or not this was a smart move by general manager John Lynch all we want. But the reality is the Niners now have to start looking forward to find a replacement adequate enough to fill Bowman’s shoes.

On one hand, San Francisco already has his replacement — rookie linebacker Reuben Foster, who will assume Bowman’s duties at the MIKE position once he’s fully healthy.

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That’s good. Foster is one of the most promising young players on the 49ers roster, if not the entire NFL.

But that still leaves a void at SAM linebacker, which will likely be filled for the remainder of this season by a combination of Ray-Ray Armstrong and Brock Coyle.

Neither player is truly ideal for this role.

Hence we turn our attention to the 2018 NFL Draft in an attempt to see whether or not any of these players might be worth bringing aboard next season.

Here are four prospects to watch.