Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Full 2018 NFL Draft tracker, grades and analysis

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: Fred Warner #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars deflects this third quarter pass, intended for Austin Roberts #88 of the UCLA Bruins at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. The UCLA Bruins won 17-14. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: Fred Warner #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars deflects this third quarter pass, intended for Austin Roberts #88 of the UCLA Bruins at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. The UCLA Bruins won 17-14. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick No. 70 Overall: Linebacker Fred Warner, BYU

Second-year pro Reuben Foster’s legal situation might have gotten a bit better this past week, meaning his chances of sticking with the 49ers improves.

Still, the linebacker position is something the Niners could ill afford to address.

BYU linebacker Fred Warner is a solid off-the-ball linebacker, capable in coverage and seemingly always around the ball. His 262 tackles over four collegiate seasons attests to this. At 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds, he’s more than capable lining up at either WILL or MIKE linebacker spots. And his hybrid-like abilities could mean San Francisco places him into more sub packages as well.

Foster could still face a lengthy suspension this season, and he also comes with injury concerns.

Adding Warner helps ensure a backup plan for Foster, also adding a versatile defensive weapon capable of helping in coverage and holding his own against the run. And Warner’s sideline-to-sideline abilities can’t be ignored either.

Solid pick for this point in the draft.

Grade: A-