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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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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle running back Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the fourth quarter of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle running back Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the fourth quarter of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Junior — 6-foot-0, 230 pounds

Kendall Joseph Defense & Fumbles Table
Tack Tack Tack Tack Tack Def Def Def Def Def Fumb Fumb
Year School Conf Class G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR FF
*2015 Clemson ACC FR 3 3 1 4 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2016 Clemson ACC SO 15 59 47 106 11.5 3.5 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 1
2017 Clemson ACC JR 6 13 32 45 3.5 0.5 0 0 0 1 0 0
Career Clemson 75 80 155 15.0 4.0 1 0 0.0 0 1 0 1

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 10/13/2017.

Clemson’s defense this season is led by one player in particular, linebacker Kendall Joseph.

Joseph’s 6-foot-0 frame might be a bit smallish for an ideal middle linebacker, but the fact he’s able to record tackles at an easy rate points to his ability to constantly be around the ball. Remember former 49ers linebacker Chris Borland? He was short but had no concerns about tackling whatsoever.

There are some concerns about Joseph’s injury history although, as Sports Illustrated’s Brian Hamilton wrote back in October of 2016, the linebacker’s playmaking ability is certainly top notch:

"[Defensive coordinator Brent] Venables reviews every practice snap and awards or subtracts “production points” accordingly; an interception is a plus, for example, while a bad alignment or missed tackle earns a demerit. Across 15 spring workouts in 2015, Joseph posted the highest production points-per-play rate of any Clemson linebacker."

Pegged as the No. 47 overall prospect by CBS Sports, Joseph is a player the 49ers could easily have with one of two picks in Round 2.