San Francisco 49ers: 7-Round 2019 mock draft with 20 days to go
By Cory Kinnan
Round 4, Pick 104: Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford
Even after finding a gem in 2018 third round pick Fred Warner and signing Alexander in free agency, the Niners are still in the market for a third linebacker. Malcolm Smith is teetering on the brink of 30 years of age, and San Francisco has a potential out of his contract after the 2019 season. It would not be a shock to see the Niners draft his heir apparent in this year’s draft.
Potentially the most underrated linebacker in the 2019 NFL Draft class is Bobby Okereke out of Stanford. At the combine, Okereke ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, and at his pro day posted elite 10- and 20-yard splits, displaying elite explosiveness.
Over the last two season, Okereke has tallied a total of 182 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. In addition he has picked off one pass and returned it to the house and forced three fumbles. Clearly Okereke has a nose for the football and could be an explosive off-ball linebacker at the next level.
Looking for long-time success, the Niners must look to draft for the future and name the heir apparents to aging veterans on their roster. Here, they look to add Smith’s future replacement in the explosive linebacker Okereke.