Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking the 49ers’ 2019 NFL Draft options at No. 4 heading into Week 16

By Jeremy Wohlfart

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 22: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the 28-7 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Commonwealth Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 22: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the 28-7 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Commonwealth Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles for yards while being tackled by Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers during a second half run at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles for yards while being tackled by Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers during a second half run at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Draft Devin White, Linebacker, LSU

Why this makes sense

With linebacker Reuben Foster gone, the team needs upgrades at the position to complement impressive rookie Fred Warner.

Devin White is the kind of linebacker who can do it all, and has being amazingly productive with LSU. White can be good in man or zone coverage, tackles the ball carrier well and get into the backfield consistently (25.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks the last two seasons combined).

White is a complete linebacker, compared to Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, and would be an instant upgrade for the 49ers defense.

Why it may not happen

The Niners may be hesitant to take a linebacker in the first round given the success with Warner, and could look to try their luck again in later rounds.

San Francisco could also regard defensive line or cornerback as bigger concerns to address as well.