San Francisco 49ers could find value in adding Kwon Alexander

By Brian Spaen | Apr 18, 2015

With so much discussion over who the San Francisco 49ers should pick up early in the 2015 NFL Draft, we should also look at some late-round value picks that could be available. One position that they really need to add depth in is at linebacker, and Kwon Alexander from LSU could fit that void.

Reports surfaced in the middle of the week that the 49ers had interest in multiple players from LSU, and one of them was Alexander along with running back Terrence Magee and offensive lineman La’el Collins — the latter whom will likely go in the first two rounds. One connection the team has with the Tigers is Adam Henry, the San Francisco 49ers wide receivers coach that had a previous stint with the school.

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Eric Branch of SF Gate explains the attraction with Alexander. He’s extremely fast and is quick to take down his opponent.

"Last year, he led the Tigers in tackles (90) and was a second-team all-SEC pick. His modest size has some analysts projecting him as a safety in the NFL. Regardless of his defensive spot, his speed and aggressiveness could allow him to carve out a career as a core special-teams player: His 40-yard dash at the combine (4.55 seconds) was the fastest among linebackers."

Alexander has played at the outside linebacker position since his sophomore season. He recorded eight or more total tackles in seven games last year, including double-digit outputs against Mississippi State (14), Florida (11), Alabama (10), and Notre Dame (11) in the Music City Bowl. His final tally went past the century mark with 167 total tackles along with 15 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

As of now, Alexander is expected to go in the third or fourth round. Charlie Campbell of Walter Football has him going 94th overall to the Green Bay Backers, but notes that most scouts like him outside of the third round and he believes the player should have stayed for his senior season.

Why is Alexander not highly favored by everybody? Rob Rang of CBS Sports notes his speed could be a downside and needs to control it.

"Alexander’s highly aggressive nature makes him vulnerable to surrendering big plays. Rather than waiting for ball-carriers to commit, he attacks gaps, leaving potential cutback lanes for savvy runners to exploit. Alexander is generally a reliable tackler, but he’ll lunge occasionally, as well, relying on his stopping power to knock the back down, rather than wrapping fully."

Even with the setbacks, LSU players are generally very successful in the NFL. Just with the 49ers alone, they picked up a great safety in Eric Reid two years ago and they were thinking about drafting up to get Odell Beckham Jr., only to see him make incredible one-handed touchdowns with the New York Giants.

With a couple of shockingly early retirements at linebacker, it wouldn’t hurt to increase the depth somewhere in the draft. Alexander is not a starter right out of the gate, but he wouldn’t need to be. Drafting him in the third round is a little high, but if he’s still available in the following round, he would be a value pick for the 49ers.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Best option with the 15th pick?

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