Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Quick-take NFL Draft mock after free agency opening

By Peter Panacy

Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Linebacker Josey Jewell #43 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a tackle during the third quarter on wide receiver Avante’ Cox #26 of the Wyoming Cowboys on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Linebacker Josey Jewell #43 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a tackle during the third quarter on wide receiver Avante’ Cox #26 of the Wyoming Cowboys on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

128. player. 42. . Inside Linebacker. Iowa. Josey Jewell

The 49ers solve their linebacking concerns later in the NFL Draft, tabbing former Iowa backer Josey Jewell in Round 4.

At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Jewell is best equipped to handle WILL linebacker duties in a 4-3 scheme. This is where the Niners have Malcolm Smith penciled in, although any Reuben Foster situation could mandate Smith move to MIKE to start the season.

Jewell was a tackling machine for Iowa, logging 433 total takedowns over his four-year collegiate career. Simply put, he’s around the ball.

And if NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to the Dallas Cowboys’ Sean Lee, that should be more than adequate for a reserve option at the position.