The San Francisco 49ers watched a lot of defensive talent leave in free agency, and the draft is clearly the plan to replace it. They'll have 11 picks to help refill the coffers, and it'll be hard to immediately criticize any particular order of voids filled.
There was no bigger loss for the Niners this offseason than linebacker Dre Greenlaw. General manager John Lynch can try as he might to talk himself into an internal replacement, but adding reinforcements at linebacker in the draft has to be somewhere on the radar.
Pro Football Network has highlighted a Day 3 draft prospect fit for each NFL team, and for San Francisco, the choice was Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr.:
"The impact of losing Dre Greenlaw in free agency cannot be overstated. Dee Winters gained valuable starting experience, but even if he locks down the starting WILL spot, the 49ers need depth behind him and Fred Warner. Smael Mondon Jr. is raw as a technical linebacker, but he’s a rare athlete oozing with untapped potential."
Smael Mondon Jr. could be groomed as Dre Greenlaw's successor
Mondon was a five-star recruit who became a three-year starter at Georgia (32 total starts). Injuries hampered him a bit each of those seasons though, including a foot injury that required surgery after the 2023 season and missing four games last season with a left leg injury.
Mondon is on the small side at 224 pounds, but he does everything well, playing at Georgia exposed him to high-level competition and there's no denying his athleticism, highlighted by a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump at the NFL Combine.
Evaluations of Mondon are consistent in mentioning one thing: his overall instincts and ability to diagnose and react are lacking, though easily explained as him simply being a bit raw. His history of lower body injuries is also a thing that could lead him to falling in the draft more than his ability suggests he should.
Overall, Mondon should be able to contribute immediately on special teams while honing his craft as an NFL linebacker.
If the 49ers draft him he'd be lined up to immediately push Dee Winters for snaps at WILL linebacker, with a residual chance to become Greenlaw's long-term replacement .