Niner Noise
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5 linebackers the 49ers should target for the 2018 NFL Draft

By Joseph Naki

BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Virginia Tech Hokies prepares to hit quarterback Philip Nelson #9 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Lane Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Virginia Tech Hokies prepares to hit quarterback Philip Nelson #9 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Lane Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

In his second year preparing for the NFL Draft, John Lynch, general manager of the venerated San Francisco 49ers, will want to arrange his selection process by need rather than want. Addressing the linebacker position is priority No. 1 for the rejuvenated Niners, and Lynch should know it.

When healthy and on the field, linebacker Reuben Foster is a game-changing presence for the San Francisco 49ers defense. However, injuries have haunted Foster throughout his football career. In his rookie year, Foster was sidelined for six games nursing a high-ankle sprain while dealing with nagging back spasms that kept him from contributing on the field.

With his recent arrest involving marijuana, even though a misdemeanor, the 49ers organization is now in a protective posture raising questions of Foster’s durability, but moreover, his availability for 2018.

Assuredly, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will issue some sort of suspension, and who knows what transpires for Foster in the courts of law; that part is an unknown entity and a true concern.

While the 49ers should target the cornerback position as priority one, they cannot overlook the imposing problems Foster brings to the immediate forefront. Isolating the LB position, and placing major emphasis in versatility, the top five linebackers the 49ers should target on their big board are as follows.