Niner Noise
FanSided

5 prospects for 49ers to consider in 2020 NFL Draft

By Jeremy Wohlfart

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 07: Offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz #61 of the Wisconsin Badgers snaps the ball to quarterback Alex Hornibrook #12 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 07: Offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz #61 of the Wisconsin Badgers snaps the ball to quarterback Alex Hornibrook #12 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 19: Linebacker Troy Dye #35 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates their win over the Utah Utes after their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 19: Linebacker Troy Dye #35 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates their win over the Utah Utes after their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

The 49ers’ situation at linebacker is similar to their situation at left tackle. A late-round rookie (LB Dre Greenlaw in this case) has the chance to stake a claim to be the future at the position, but there could be a massive upgrade waiting for San Francisco.

Troy Dye is a natural linebacker prospect for the next level. He has speed, size, athleticism,  elite coverage skills and a history of big production at Oregon with over 300 tackles, 10 sacks and three interceptions for the Ducks.

What makes Dye so special is not only his ability to play in both man and zone coverage, but his ability to run step-for-step with any tight end. Teams don’t need to worry about mismatches with Dye, who was a safety before he became a linebacker.

A true sideline-to-sideline defender like the 49ers’ own Kwon Alexander, Dye could be the final piece of an elite linebacker trio along with Alexander and fellow LB Fred Warner.

Some fans may roll their eyes at yet another early pick invested into the defense, but Dye could be what turns an excellent San Francisco defense today into a truly elite one tomorrow.

Next. 5 early targets for the 49ers in 2020 NFL free agency. dark

He’s a linebacker with all the tools needed to succeed at the professional level, and a prospect the San Francisco 49ers should consider in 2020.