San Francisco 49ers: 5 Sleepers to target in 2018 NFL Draft
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch hit on picks in the mid-to-late rounds in 2017, so here are some sleepers he should target in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers profited from a number of astute mid to late-round selections in the 2017 NFL Draft. In his first draft, general manager John Lynch excelled on days two and three, adding a number of players who contributed in their first year.
Backup quarterback C.J. Beathard and starting corner Ahkello Witherspoon were each third-rounders, while tight end George Kittle and slot receiver Trent Taylor became key components of the offense after being picked in the fifth round.
Lynch was even able to find Adrian Colbert, likely the 49ers’ starting free safety going forward, in the seventh round. Can he nail his day two and day-three picks in 2018?
Targeting these five players would help him do so.
5. Genard Avery, LB, Memphis
San Francisco’s need for linebacker and edge help is well documented and Genard Avery is a defender who could provide help in both areas. Undersized and athletic at 6-0 and 248 pounds, Avery is a versatile talent at off-ball linebacker who plays with an utterly relentless motor and excels in pursuit both downhill and sideline to sideline.
He can close extremely quickly in pursuit and has shown the awareness to occupy throwing lanes and make plays on the ball in coverage, but it is down the near the line of scrimmage where he most impressive.
From the "don't draft Kolton Miller in Round 1" and "the Genard Avery is super underrated" files pic.twitter.com/s93s291mgP
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) April 16, 2018
Racking up 22 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in 2017, Avery plays well above his size, thudding into the pads of much bigger linemen and demonstrating the capability to generate bull rush and convert speed to power.
Avery exhibits very good hand usage to keep himself clean from blocks and has not only shown the capability to bend round the edge, but also has club and swim moves at his disposal. Possessing the quickness to generate the interior disruption that is so valued in the modern-day NFL, Avery is a prospect who should at least be considered on day two but may well go much later.
Having received precious little production from the SAM linebacker spot in recent years, the 49ers should have Avery firmly on their radar as a player who could eventually slot into that role and provide significant pass rush upside.