49ers NFL Draft: 5 prospects who’ll go bust if Niners take them in 2022

49ers bust risk No. 4: EDGE Christopher Allen, Alabama

San Francisco could use some additional pass-rushing help, grabbing someone from a deep NFL Draft class to help ensure EDGE Nick Bosa doesn’t have to “do it all again” in 2022 after recording a team-best 15.5 sacks a year ago.

Yes, it’s a good thing this year’s class is deep, and Alabama EDGE Christopher Allen surely could put himself into consideration as a safe pick on day two of the draft.

At 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, Allen has the physical tools to be a great pass-rushing force at the pro level.

A massive problem, however, has been his injury history, as our friends over at NFL Mocks explained:

"Alabama’s Christopher Allen might be the most physically gifted outside linebacker in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he has had trouble staying on the field missing all but the season opener this year with a foot injury and missing the entire 2018 season with a knee injury."

Few teams understand the frustrations associated with injury-riddled players more than the 49ers do in recent seasons, and with the Niners not likely looking at oft-injured EDGE Dee Ford working a return from a serious back injury suffered in 2020, it’s not a good idea to go after yet another frequently injured player to replace him.

Sure, Allen might have plenty of promise after registering six sacks and 13 tackles for a loss in 2020 before missing the bulk of 2021.

But he’s an injury-bust risk San Francisco can’t afford to take.