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2019 NFL Draft: 5 pass-rushing options for the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass against the defensive lineman Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass against the defensive lineman Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 31: Austin Bryant #91 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after stopping the Oklahoma Sooners on fourth down in the third quarter during the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 31: Austin Bryant #91 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after stopping the Oklahoma Sooners on fourth down in the third quarter during the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

See? Told you there would be multiple options from Clemson here.

While Clelin Ferrell gets most of the edge-rushing love on 2019 draft boards, fellow rusher Austin Bryant shouldn’t be overlooked either.

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Bryant has been on the fringes of Rounds 1 and 2 in a number of mocks around the league, although Niner Noise’s latest seven-round mock tabbed Bryant to San Francisco at No. 12 overall.

Much of this has to do with the kind of season Bryant has in 2019.

Bryant wasn’t much of a household name his freshman and sophomore year, although his 8.5 sacks in 2017 certainly put him high on the list of edge-rushing names. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, he already fits the frame for what 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh would like to see at the primary edge-rusher position, the LEO spot in base defenses.

Unlike the previous two names on this list, Bryant doesn’t have to worry about power and strength. He might not be the fastest of edge rushers in this year’s class. But his ability to overwork offensive linemen is outstanding.

This would be a bit more of a project, though, as Bryant is a bit more on the raw side. He’s not quite a refined product yet, which might explain him being lower than a lot of the top-name pass-rushers entering 2019. Still, if he remains on the ascent, Bryant might end up being the best option San Francisco has when its number is called on draft day.

dark. Next. Way-too-soon 49ers 7-round mock NFL Draft for 2019

It can’t get here soon enough, for sure.