San Francisco 49ers: 5 Targets in 2020 NFL Draft to remain atop NFC

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after making a stop during the first quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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San Francisco 49ers, 2020 NFL Draft (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

Having a team with youth in places of strength is a great thing to have. Even at the linebacker spot, the 49ers have that luxury right now. Kwon Alexander is their oldest player at the position on the roster and he’s just 25 years old. With that said, the 49ers have an opportunity to make that linebacker room even better.

Fred Warner is locked into his role after an excellent 2019 season. Kwon Alexander is the $54 million man in San Francisco, so he’s not going anywhere, especially with his ability to cover and leadership. That leaves Dre Greenlaw, who started 11 games and for the 49ers in 2019 with Alexander injured. He didn’t play poorly and is quite young — but a player like Patrick Queen could take the San Francisco linebacker group to the next level.

The former LSU stud is an excellent downhill thumper who stacks and sheds with the best of them. He’s lightning-quick with elite speed, running a 4.50-second 40 at the NFL Combine. Queen is an elite athlete who can play inside or outside backer in any system with the ability to cover tight ends and backs.

He also adds insurance for the oft-injured Alexander who played through injuries last season after missing time early on thanks to Lynch’s roster-building, it’s a group that can be fine without addressing it early but could also benefit from inserting a player like Queen into the mix.