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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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Dorance Armstrong Jr., Kansas

Projected to come off the big board in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Dorance Armstrong Jr., standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 245 pounds, is an absolute beast! Mostly covered by two blockers on most downs, Armstrong’s numbers don’t indicate the type of player he really is on the football field.

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In 2017, Armstrong totaled 63 tackles with 9.5 for a loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles and four passes batted. He is a fast edge defender with very good athleticism. His aggressiveness at the line of scrimmage with his natural bend at his hips, makes Armstrong an essential player to have on a roster.

Robert Saleh runs a 4-3 Under base defense. In this style of defense, there is a LEO position built specifically to maintain edge gap, but also engineered to produce a solid pass rush off the edge. Dorance Armstrong would fit the LEO position without question.

Getting pressure on the QB has been putrid for the 49ers in 2017. Averaging less than two sacks a game, the 49ers defense ranks 26th overall in sacks, only five spots from the bottom of the basement.

Armstrong is a game changer, a guy John Lynch would love in Santa Clara.