Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Round 1 trade-up targets in 2019 NFL Draft

By Jeremy Wohlfart

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 03: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tries to avoid the tackle of Greedy Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers in the second quarter of their game at Tiger Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 03: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tries to avoid the tackle of Greedy Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers in the second quarter of their game at Tiger Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines intercepts a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines intercepts a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Devin Bush, Linebacker, Michigan

Aside from an EDGE, arguably the biggest need for the 49ers on defense is upgrading the linebackers. Fred Warner was a find in the third round last year, but he needs some help around him.

Devin Bush is a player I believe has been radically underrated on draft boards. While he’s projected to be a late first- or early second-round selection, I believe he should be considered as high as the top 20.

Bush has so many strengths to him. He has amazing blitzing ability as well as an ability to get into the backfield (10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in his last two seasons at Michigan), and plays with unrelenting toughness.

While not elite in coverage, he did play some more coverage last season. However, Warner is already a proficient coverage linebacker in his own right. Bush would be a terrific complement as a hard hitter who can also blitz the quarterback. The 49ers need to play some more creative blitz packages next season, and Bush could be a centerpiece of that philosophy.

Bush probably won’t last to the 49ers’ pick at No. 36 overall, and a trade into the first round would be needed. Bush projects as a perfect complement to Warner. The blitzing Bush would be a perfect addition to the covering Warner, and a prime candidate to trade into the first round for.