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2018 NFL Draft: Why the 49ers need a linebacker No. 9 overall

By Joseph Naki

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to winning the game MVP trophy after beating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to winning the game MVP trophy after beating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The 2018 NFL Draft is on the horizon, and San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has his hands full of options on which way to approach his draft selections. No doubt, the 49ers are in desperate need of linebacker.

Here at Niner Noise, we have talked about Reuben Foster and his off-field antics ad nauseum. We know the reality of Foster’s legal issues, and we also know the nature of penalties he will face with the league, but also the pending penalties he could face with the San Francisco 49ers.

Speaking of which, the 49ers organization has closed their facilities to Foster and are set to meet with Foster this week. It looks like the organization is strongly considering the release of the talented linebacker.

Incidentally, and probably by no mistake, the 49ers hosted former Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith on Tuesday for a private visit.

While CEO Jed York contemplates the organization’s next move, what is truly clear to the team effort, the Niners must now attain a linebacker with their No. 1 overall selection come draft day on April 26.

There are three elite linebackers in this draft:

  • Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
  • Roquan Smith, Georgia
  • Rashaan Evans, Alabama

After these three men, there are a bunch of guys with more flaws than J. Edgar Hoover.

I’m no Nostradamus, I don’t read palms and I can’t see through a crystal ball, but I wrote an article two months ago focusing on the linebacker position and how important it is for the 49ers to select a LB with their first overall selection, due to Foster’s off-the-field issues.

Well, the 600-pound pink elephant is now in the room.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The selection of Foster, No. 31 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, is no doubt looking like a complete miss on general manager John Lynch’s part. Add on Lynch’s first pick a year ago, defensive end Solomon Thomas and his lack of production on the field, and well, Lynch has a lot of ground to make up this year, doesn’t he?

And then, trading up to attain the former Crimson Tide linebacker has proven to be a bust.

Selecting players with serious off-field issues and a tattered checkered past is something Lynch should avoid in the future. Maybe the second-year GM should be reminded he is not leading the Cincinnati Bengals, but rather a solid franchise built on championship pedigree.

With Foster’s recent indictment, it is no longer asking the question, “do we need a linebacker to fill the MIKE position in this draft?” The answer is a resounding yes! The Niners have to take an elite LB No. 1 overall.

Not up for debate.

Here at Niner Noise, we have touted Virginia Tech LB Tremaine Edmunds from the mountain tops of Kilimanjaro. It is beyond my comprehension as to why the Niners have not met with the talented Edmunds to date. At the very least, the Niners should speak and get to know the young man before settling on the position. Two words here: due diligence.

Have the 49ers fallen in love with Roquan Smith?

It is possible the Niners are in line to take the Georgia linebacker. By all accounts coming out of Santa Clara, the 49ers organization are enamored by the young Bulldog.

TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 21: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 21: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Questions: Would Smith fit in a 4-3 Under defensive scheme? Is Smith big enough to take on NFL interior linemen straight up in gaps? And, if selected by the Niners, will Smith be able to drop back in pass coverages that make him move in space?

As the MIKE backer in coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense, you better be able to do all of these things. Smith, in my opinion, is not a good fit for the Niners. He gets washed by athletic linemen, and in space, gets lost in coverage.

I am definitely in the minority when talking about Smith. I know there are fans that love the young man. It’s clear the 49ers organization loves Smith as well.

I am also sticking with my guy Rashaan Evans out of Alabama. He is by far a much better fit for the Niners than Smith. Trading down to get Evans is the best option for the Niners.

So, while the Niners pass on Edmunds and probably Evans to select Smith as their future MIKE, only production on the field will prove if the Niners made the right choice.

One thing is for certain, the 49ers are now in the market for an elite linebacker.