Niner Noise
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NFL Scouting Combine: 5 players who need to improve 2019 draft stock

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: LSU running back Derrius Guice runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: LSU running back Derrius Guice runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 20: Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven #25 of the Washington Huskies reacts after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Husky Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 20: Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven #25 of the Washington Huskies reacts after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Husky Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

The 49ers could be exploring additional help at linebacker in 2019, particularly with only Fred Warner locked into this position for the upcoming season.

There isn’t a lot of buzz surrounding Washington’s Ben Burr-Kirven heading up to the NFL Draft, whom NFL Draft Scout has listed either as a seventh-round pick or an undrafted free agent.

See why the NFL Scouting Combine would be important to him?

Burr-Kirven’s biggest weakness is the combination of his size and strength. He’s only 6-foot-0 and 221 pounds. Yet in today’s era of linebackers needing to be good in coverage, one can see the benefits of adding a player like Burr-Kirven in later rounds.

If he performs well in the vertical jump and bench press.

There are positive attributes drawing scouts to Burr-Kirven, however. He had a whopping 176 tackles his senior season at Washington, which suggests he’s always around the ball. Additionally, he’s good in zone coverage and makes up for his lack of size with good football smarts and instincts.

For a team like the 49ers looking to add depth to a position of need, watching Burr-Kirven’s combine workouts could be convincing enough to spend a late-round pick on him.