Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 prospect big board for the 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to winning the game MVP trophy after beating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to winning the game MVP trophy after beating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

Well, SAM linebacker. That’s the need for the 49ers this offseason in the NFL Draft.

The other two linebacker spots — WILL and MIKE — have been filled by Reuben Foster and Malcolm Smith (injured reserve, pectoral). Smith’s coverage abilities are a bit of a question mark, so he’s a better fit at WILL. And with Foster holding down the MIKE position, all that’s needed is an upgrade along the strong side.

This is the spot occupied by third-year linebacker Eli Harold. Harold has lost playing time as of late, and he’s hardly impacted the stat sheet. If San Francisco was able to find an upgrade here, either through free agency or the NFL Draft, the front seven would truly be a mean unit.

Round 1 Linebacker Big Board

  1. Malik Jefferson, Texas
  2. Roquan Smith, Georgia
  3. Dorian O’Daniel, Clemson
  4. Josh Allen, Kentucky

Two players stick out from this NFL Draft class — Georgia’s Roquan Smith and Clemson’s Dorian O’Daniel.

An ACC scout recently told me O’Daniel may wind up being the biggest impact player out of this particular group entering the draft. His five sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss help point out why he’s always behind the line of scrimmage. And he’s excellent in coverage too, making him a sure upgrade over Harold.

But you can’t overlook Smith’s game versus Notre Dame a short while ago:

Texas’ Malik Jefferson is one of those prospects who could go early on draft day or, possibly, slip to the end of Round 1. He’ll need a strong NFL Scouting Combine, as will Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen, who could slip into the back end of the first round.