2018 NFL Draft: Why 49ers should prioritize linebacker position in first round
The San Francisco 49ers still have several holes to fill on their roster heading into the 2018 NFL Draft. Niner Noise discusses why the linebacker position should be a top priority for the team, especially in the first round.
General manager John Lynch and the 49ers front office will have their hands full during the 2018 NFL Draft. Once the clock starts ticking, anything can happen from trades to players dropping off the board.
One of San Francisco’s most glaring needs heading into the draft is the linebacker position. Whether it is the SAM, the WILL or the MIKE, the Niners could definitely improve their entire defense’s second level.
Outside of Reuben Foster, no other linebacker stands out within the roster.
San Francisco 49ers
While they will likely start in 2018, middle linebacker Brock Coyle and strong-side linebacker Eli Harold were below average during the 2017 season. Pro Football Focus only gave these two players overall grades of 41.3 and 47.7, respectively.
Weak-side linebacker Malcolm Smith is also set to return from injury in 2018. However, it is uncertain whether Smith will be able to return in full strength.
Thus, the 49ers would need to revamp their linebacker corps to complement their formidable front and improved secondary unit. One solution is to prioritize the linebacker position in the draft, especially for San Francisco’s first-round, ninth overall pick.
The Reuben Foster situation
The 49ers have had a rough offseason dealing with Foster’s legal issues.
On Jan. 12, Foster was arrested and charged with second-degree possession of marijuana in Tuscaloosa, AL. Almost a month later on Feb. 11, Foster was arrested once again on charges of domestic violence and possession of an assault weapon.
On April 12, the Santa Clara County District’s Office officially charged Foster with felony domestic violence, which leaves his future with San Francisco in jeopardy.
Following a solid rookie season, it seemed Foster was the 49ers’ linebacker of the future. However, due to his legal situation, Foster’s status with the team is now up in the air.
Lynch and the Niners have not released Foster yet as they stated they are still “monitoring” the situation and waiting for the legal process to conclude.
49ers on their LB Reuben Foster: pic.twitter.com/Tu6CXwUkUI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 12, 2018
If the 49ers eventually decide to release the second-year linebacker, they should heavily consider prioritizing a replacement for Foster.
Although Coyle is a decent option, acquiring a top-tier talent in this year’s draft is a must. San Francisco would need to find another strong presence in the middle of the field if Foster does not end up on the roster come the 2018 season.
Lack of quality depth
The 49ers are not deep at the linebacker positions either.
Even though the team signed Korey Toomer during the offseason and has young talents such as Pita Taumoepenu and Elijah Lee, San Francisco currently does not have many reliable linebackers who can play during most snaps.
The linebacker group seems weak and needs bona-fide starters to hold the fort in the second level. Especially with Foster’s uncertain future with the team, drafting a linebacker in the first round and possibly a few more in the later rounds makes sense.
In the first round, the Niners could pick up either Georgia’s Roquan Smith or Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds with their ninth overall pick. Both players are projected to be selected within the top 15 of the draft.
San Francisco could even trade up or down to pick up Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch, whose draft stock has risen since his incredible outing at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine.
Other options in the later rounds include Georgia’s Lorenzo Carter, Ohio State’s Jerome Baker and Virginia’s Micah Kiser.
The 49ers are in desperate need of more dependable and productive linebackers to their roster. Don’t be surprised if they decide to acquire three or four linebacker prospects by the end of this year’s draft.
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No long-term options
Although there are some young players on the squad, San Francisco does not have any linebackers who have proven themselves as long-term solutions.
Malcolm Smith will be 29 years old once the 2018 season ensues and is coming off a season-ending injury. Thus, Smith’s prime may be concluding fairly soon.
Coyle and Harold are decent options for next season, but that might not be the case in the long run.
As a result, Lynch and Co. should find linebackers who they can keep for at least several years.
Foster was once perceived as San Francisco’s linebacker of the future. But, due to Foster’s legal issues and gloomy status with the team, the 49ers would need to find at least another one in this year’s draft.
If the Niners decide to prioritize the linebacker position, they could address one of their most glaring needs heading into the 2018 season.
Next: San Francisco 49ers: Laying out the perfect 2018 NFL Draft
Drafting a player with great potential like Roquan Smith, Edmunds or Vander Esch in the first round should definitely help fill that large gap on defense.