FanPost

2019 NFL Draft: Year Of The Pass Rusher

What the 2018 NFL Draft was for quarterback’s, the 2019 NFL Draft class may be for pass rushers. It’s certainly shaping up to be one of the deeper drafts at the position. This, of course, is good news for the 49ers, as the lack of a pass rush is easily their most glaring weakness headed into the 2018 season. With that, let’s take a look at some of the top names that may be available in 2019.

Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson

Notable stats: 15.5 sacks and TFL over the last two seasons.

From the articles I’ve read, Ferrell is likely the first pass rusher taken off the board, maybe even No.1 overall, well out of reach of the 49ers, unless we have a monumentally bad season.

Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State

Notable stats: In two seasons, Bosa has logged 13.5 sacks, and 23 TFL.

The young brother of Los Angles Chargers star pass rusher, Joey Bosa, Nick is said to be a smaller, but almost identical player to his brother in terms of his abilities as an EDGE rusher. Similar to Clelin Ferrell, Bosa could very easily be taken No. 1 overall, and probably won’t make it out of the top 5. I would LOVE to get this dude.

Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State

Notable stats: Burns had 8.5 sacks in 2016, but the number fell to just 4.5 in 2017, with 23 TFL between both seasons.

This could be the first player the 49ers really have a shot at. Burns isn’t as bulky as Nick Bosa or Clelin Ferrell, but he makes up for it with speed. If he can improve his sack total from 2017, maybe the Niners snag him in the mid to late teens.

Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State

Notable stats: 10.5 sacks, 15.5 TFL in 2017

Apparently, Sweat spent a couple years at Michigan state, where he was largely ineffective. In 2017, Sweat transferred to Mississippi State....and went off. It’ll be interesting to see if he can come close to matching those numbers in 2018, but I’m very intrigued by this dude. Reading around, I found that Montez Sweat was actually mocked to the 49ers, making me all the more giddy. Like Burns, Sweat could stand to add some muscle, but It obviously hasn’t held him back thus far.

Austin Bryant, EDGE, Clemson

Notable stats: 8.5 sacks, 15.5 TFL in 2017

Another stud from the Clemson defense, Austin Bryant. Bryant has also been mocked to the 49ers, and could potentially be picked up somewhere between rounds 1-2. It’s said that he’s not the refined player that the others on this list are, and would be more of a project. Based on various mocks, and record projections for th 49ers, Austin Bryant may be their best bet come Draft day, next April.

So, there’s the list. Obviously, I’d love to see the Niners get a dominant pass rusher. However, if they are 9-7/10-6, they’ll probably miss out on most of the top players at the position. But let’s be honest, if DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, or Arik Armstead, dont step up to the plate in 2018, then the 49ers have no choice but to aggressively go after one of these players, cost be damned.

2018 saw the next generation of QBs drafted into the NFL, several of which will carry the torch into the next decade. It is imperative that the 49ers draft their countermeasure in 2019.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.