Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL Draft: 5 prospects the 49ers should watch at the Senior Bowl

By Aaron Tan

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 10: Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at Autzen Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 10: Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at Autzen Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies passes against linebacker Uchenna Nwosu #42 of the USC Trojans on November 12, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies passes against linebacker Uchenna Nwosu #42 of the USC Trojans on November 12, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Outside Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu

I’ll never forget standing on the USC sideline at the Pac-12 Championship in Levi’s Stadium on a 4th-and-goal situation for Stanford to take the lead over USC in the fourth quarter. The Cardinal was just inches away from the treasured goal line, and the entire stadium had this indescribable atmosphere of anxiety.

The running back took the handoff, and looked like a lock to make it into the promised land, but suddenly USC outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu came flying in from the outside of the line, bringing the back down short of the end zone, making a crucial play that eventually helped USC earn a close win.

Nwosu is a linebacker that has great speed and awareness that makes him an underrated piece of the USC defense. He can rush the passer and stop running backs with ease, but is not well known due to being shadowed by star USC linebackers Cameron Smith and Porter Gustin. Nwosu will most likely be taken on day three of the NFL Draft as a result, but he has a real chance to make an impressive showing in the Senior Bowl to change that.

Ever since he was drafted, outside linebacker Eli Harold has shown nothing that warrants him staying on the team, or even belonging in the league.

Drafting Nwosu in one of the later rounds would automatically dramatically improve the team’s pass rush from the outside linebacker position. The 49ers would be wise to look into him at the Senior Bowl.