Niner Noise
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49ers 2019 mock NFL Draft: Assessing team needs over all 7 rounds

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers 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: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers 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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EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 12: Linebacker Joey Alfieri #32 of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass intended for tight end Johnny Mundt #83 of the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 12: Linebacker Joey Alfieri #32 of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass intended for tight end Johnny Mundt #83 of the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

It wouldn’t be a draft class from general manager John Lynch without a Stanford connection, and the 49ers go that route in Round 6 after not picking the previous round.

Despite being one of the major positions of strength entering training camp, linebacker depth as certainly been tested early and often. Reuben Foster missed two games while serving a suspension. Malcolm Smith was out for a while with a hamstring issue, and Brock Coyle suffered a season-ending concussion.

The inside backer spots (MIKE and WILL) aren’t much of a concern. Yet the strong-side (SAM) spot is a bit more pressing.

OK, Smith has done this before and appears to be shifting into this role from Week 4 onward, particularly thanks to the emergence of the rookie, Fred Warner, at MIKE.

At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, Stanford linebacker Joey Alfieri would be a wise choice to back up the SAM spot and double as an inside reserve. He has some pass-rush potential off the edge, which is a bonus, but he’ll make his mark in coverage and by handling opponents’ tight ends and running backs.

And perhaps he ends up emerging as a possible long-term replacement for Smith.