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The draft is quickly approaching and all the chatter surrounding potential day one draftee's continues to swirl. As mock drafts become more and more like wild brush fire, certain players are moving up and down the boards with no rhyme or reason.
There seems to be a top heavy rookie class at the outside linebacker position which is looking very good for those teams that may be in search of a powerhouse at that specific position. From rounds one to three or four, there could be a few potential Pro Bowlers; there may even be a couple in the later rounds as well.
The 49ers situation at the outside linebacker position may not be as bad as some folks out there make it out to be. With virtually the same personnel (exception of Travis LaBoy) as the 2009 season when the 49ers finished 3rd in sacks, it seems pretty evident in hindsight that the previous coaching staff had a lot to do with the deflation of production.
It appears that the 49ers do have some interest in obtaining a rookie (or possibly even a free agent depending on the outcome of the CBA garbage that's going on) from all of the activity in meeting with certain players at the combine. The biggest question is who and where this player will be selected if not free agency.
With that, let's take a look at some of Aldon Smith's highlight's.
The best thing that is showcased here in this feed is that Aldon Smith is a guy who never gives up on a play. From snap to finish his motor doesn't stop. He demonstrates great use of his hands and has several moves to dodge the big offensive bulls in front of him. He is not a one-trick-pony. Smith, as seen in this feed could possibly be the best outside linebacker of this rookie class.
Here are his stats:
Stats Overview
Tackles
Misc
Interceptions
YEAR
TOT
SOLO
AST
SACK
STF
STFY
FF
BK
INT
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
PD
2009
60
40
20
11
0
0
1
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
2010
48
34
14
6
0
0
0
0
1
58
58.0
58
0
0
2010 Regular Season Game Log
Tackles
Misc
Interceptions
DATE
OPP
RESULT
TOT
SOLO
AST
SACK
STF
STFY
FF
BK
INT
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
PD
9/4
Illinois
W 23-13
10
5
5
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
9/11
McNeese State
W 50-6
4
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
9/18
San Diego State
W 27-24
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
9/25
Miami (OH)
W 51-13
Did Not Play or did not accumulate any stats.
10/9
Colorado
W 26-0
Did Not Play or did not accumulate any stats.
10/16
@Texas A&M
W 30-9
Did Not Play or did not accumulate any stats.
10/23
Oklahoma
W 36-27
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
58
58.0
58
0
0
10/30
@Nebraska
L 31-17
4
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
11/6
@Texas Tech
L 24-17
9
7
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
11/13
Kansas State
W 38-28
3
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
1
11/20
@Iowa State
W 14-0
5
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
1
11/27
Kansas
W 35-7
6
4
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
2010 Postseason Game Log
Tackles
Misc
Interceptions
BOWL
OPP
RESULT
TOT
SOLO
AST
SACK
STF
STFY
FF
BK
INT
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
PD
INSIGHT BOWL
@Iowa
L 27-24
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
0
0
0
Summary: I believe that Smith has the most upside of any outside linebacker coming out this year. He is lightning fast off the ball, he has excellent moves, great use of his hands to shed blockers, and zero's in on the quarterback similar to that of a Lawrence Taylor. Smith has a real shot at turning in to a quarterback terminator.
PREDICTION: 1st - 2nd Round.