Niner Noise
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49ers’ 7-round mock 2019 NFL Draft with Josh Allen in Round 1

By Peter Panacy

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats get ready prior to the VRBO Citrus Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats get ready prior to the VRBO Citrus Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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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) /

There’s a strong argument Josh Allen isn’t even the No. 2 overall prospect in this year’s draft class — an honor almost entirely bestowed on Nick Bosa or Quinnen Williams.

That said, Allen arguably fills a bigger need for the 49ers, and the stat geeks can’t help but look at his impressive totals for Kentucky, especially his senior season:

Josh Allen Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
2015 Kentucky SEC FR LB 3 1 3 4 1.5 0.5 0 0 0 1 0 0
*2016 Kentucky SEC SO LB 13 32 30 62 8.5 7.0 0 0 0 0 0 4
*2017 Kentucky SEC JR LB 13 32 34 66 10.5 7.0 1 14 14.0 0 3 0 2
*2018 Kentucky SEC SR LB 13 56 32 88 21.5 17.0 0 0 0 4 2 5
Career Kentucky 121 99 220 42.0 31.5 1 14 14.0 0 8 2 11

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/8/2019.

Going solely off stats isn’t the best analysis strategy, however, so it’s a good thing Allen backed up his impressive numbers with some explosive abilities and a variety of strengths in all three phases.

What makes Allen enticing is not only his pass-rushing abilities, but also his above-average strengths against the run and prowess in coverage as an outside linebacker.

Allen also fits a bigger need for San Francisco, possibly playing a strong-side EDGE spot on the defensive line in passing situations, while backing off as SAM linebacker in base packages. The 49ers have a glaring hole at the latter spot, which would also allow one of the two other first-round defensive tackles, Arik Armstead or Solomon Thomas, to see a good portion of snaps in rn-stopping formations.