Niner Noise
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2019 NFL Draft: Power ranking top 10 edge rushers for 49ers

By Peter Panacy

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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CHESTNUT HILL, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Zach Allen #2 of the Boston College Eagles sacks Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter of the game at Alumni Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Zach Allen #2 of the Boston College Eagles sacks Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter of the game at Alumni Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

The first three players on this list of EDGEs the 49ers should watch need a lot of development to reach any real potential. Boston College’s Zach Allen, however, could be an impact player from day one.

Allen, 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, is a physical specimen already separated from the first players mentioned, based off sheer size alone. And Allen uses his size to his advantage, regularly overpowering his blockers with a great bull rush.

That strength helps make up for a relative lack of bend, and he’s not the best at fitting through tight spaces. He’s probably best suited for rushes on the inside, perhaps as a strong-side EDGE instead of a spot the 49ers would like to upgrade, the LEO spot on the weak end.

Allen isn’t your prototypical pass-rusher, at least in terms of numbers. He never had more than 6.5 sacks in a season over four years at Boston College.

Right now, Allen looks to be a solid choice towards the end of Round 1. This would likely put him off the Niners’ radar on draft day, unless they elect to trade down or see him slip into the second round, and they haven’t addressed pass-rushing needs yet.