Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Rethinking 2018 NFL Draft big board after free agency

By Florito Maniego

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Reuben Foster #56 and Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after tackling Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Reuben Foster #56 and Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after tackling Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Linebacker

Second-year linebacker Reuben Foster‘s situation adds another need for the 49ers to address. After two arrests during the start of the offseason, Foster’s future suddenly became uncertain.

Lynch is currently waiting for the legal process to conclude before making a definitive decision. Regardless, a Foster suspension would be detrimental to the team, considering Pro Football Focus ranked him the fourth best linebacker in the league in 2017.

Despite Malcolm Smith returning from a season-ending pectoral injury, San Francisco still has many holes to fill at linebacker. The Niners did re-sign Brock Coyle in free agency, but the depth of their linebacker corps is still thin.

Because of its high priority, the 49ers could decide to draft a top linebacker prospect in the first round.

Many mock drafts have linked Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds to San Francisco. Because of his elite size and speed, Edmunds makes a lot of sense for the 49ers with their ninth overall pick.

Drafting Georgia’s Roquan Smith would be a possibility as well. With his incredible athleticism and pursuit, Smith could easily replace Foster if he were to be suspended.

Though, if San Francisco waits until the second or third rounds to acquire a linebacker, Kansas’ Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Texas’ Malik Jefferson are two potential picks as well.