49ers: 5 USFL Draft picks San Francisco may want to watch for 2022

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Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Kolin Hill (13) Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers USFL target No. 3: EDGE Kolin Hill, New Jersey Generals

It’s never a bad idea to add another pass-rusher, and the Niners may need to have some more if Dee Ford and Arden Key are both gone next season. Simply put, Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa will need some help in 2022 regardless.

Former Texas Tech EDGE Kolin Hill isn’t your prototypical outside edge rusher in a base 4-3 alignment. Instead, his 6-foot-2, 245-pound frame makes for more of a strong-side (SAM) linebacker who has to rely more on speed and scheme to rush the quarterback.

Kolin Hill College 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
2014	Notre Dame	Ind	FR	LB	4	3	3	6	2.0	2.0	0	0		0	0	0			0
*2015	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	LB
2016	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	LB	12	21	11	32	4.0	1.0	0	0		0	3	0			0
*2017	Texas Tech	Big 12	JR	DL	13	31	12	43	5.0	2.0	0	0		0	4	1			2
2018	Texas Tech	Big 12	SR	DL	10	20	25	45	7.0	5.0	0	0		0	1	0			0
Career	Overall					75	51	126	18.0	10.0	0	0		0	8	1			2
	Notre Dame					3	3	6	2.0	2.0	0	0		0	0	0			0
	Texas Tech					72	48	120	16.0	8.0	0	0		0	8	1			2

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference
Generated 2/24/2022.

Still, a defensive gadget-type player might be of use to San Francisco’s defense, particularly if Hill can excel on special teams, but he does have a modest upside as a potential situational pass-rusher in specific circumstances.

Those resulted in five sacks during his last collegiate season, and he does have the adequate speed to get around slower blockers in front of him.

Reinforcing the linebacker depth chart wouldn’t be a bad idea for the 49ers either.

5 USFL Draft picks 49ers may want to watch for 2022

By Peter Panacy | Feb 26, 2022

49ers USFL target No. 3: EDGE Kolin Hill, New Jersey Generals