2021 LBs

After Warner and Greenlaw, the team will need some depth at linebacker, as well. Azeez Al Shaair is more of a special teams body and we'll need an upgrade. Rather than signing another expensive free agent, there's some talent in the upcoming draft. Watching this past weekend's games, two names were mentioned almost every defensive snap, and the impact they made was significant to their whole teams!

*Not going to mention Micah Parsons (top 10) and Dylan Moses (top 25) since they are arguably #1 and #2 at the linebacker rankings, and most of us probably already know about them*

Chazz Surratt, North Carolina - 6'3'', 235 lbs
Watching the North Carolina vs Miami game, all I heard was Surratt's name on almost every defensive play. He was everywhere making tackles, taking on blocks in the gap, providing great coverage. And he's still essentially learning the position!!! For those who don't know, he made the transition to LB after being the starting QB for North Carolina. The IQ and eyes definitely show and his potential is off roof. I see a Fred Warner comparison.


Jabril Cox, LSU - 6'3'', 230 lbs
Not long after the UNC/Miami game, LSU/Florida was starting and the way they were talking about Surratt, they were saying similar things about Jabril Cox. Extremely smart with a nose for the football, he won't consistently hit like a truck, but he's a sure tackler with above average coverage abilities. He also brings championship pedigree having transferred from North Dakota St. Compares favorably to Zach Cunningham.


Merlin Robertson, Arizona St - 6'3'', 250 lbs
Here's your linebacker that can hit like a truck. Robertson has shown versatility playing linebacker at ASU, ad despite some lingering injury issues or conditioning, I think there is value here in day 3. He's got surprising speed with his size and has progressed in coverage. He's also shown to be a weapon rushing the passer. I see some comparisons to Vontaze Burfict, another ASU alum, minus the off field/on field headaches.


Nick Bolton, Missouri - 6', 225 lbs
Speed like a safety but hits with pop every time he gets to a ball carrier. Bolton will most likely hear his name called in the 1st or early 2nd round. He has shown some inconsistency in pass coverage, but makes up for it with surprising pass rush skills due to his speed.


Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame - 6'2'', 220 lbs
Similar to Bolton, JOK will most likely hear his name called in the end of the 1st round or early 2nd round. 3-down linebacker with the ability to play the big nickel due to playing very well in coverage. ND uses him quite a bit as a blitzer as well because he displays good speed off the edge and can be the lower player vs tackles that play too high.

Bolton is a monster, I think all of the LBs you listed are gone by the time the niners covers bigger needs, rd 5 and on is where I see them going LBer.

A couple late rounders I like are

Texas A&M Buddy Johnson

Rutgers Tyson Fogg

Auburn KJ Britt

Vandy Dimitri Moore

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Bolton is a monster, I think all of the LBs you listed are gone by the time the niners covers bigger needs, rd 5 and on is where I see them going LBer.

A couple late rounders I like are

Texas A&M Buddy Johnson

Rutgers Tyson Fogg

Auburn KJ Britt

Vandy Dimitri Moore

Good call on Buddy Johnson. Another late round prospects I forgot to mention were Paddy Fisher from Northwestern and Josh Ross out of Michigan.

Originally posted by AsianJeff:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Bolton is a monster, I think all of the LBs you listed are gone by the time the niners covers bigger needs, rd 5 and on is where I see them going LBer.

A couple late rounders I like are

Texas A&M Buddy Johnson

Rutgers Tyson Fogg

Auburn KJ Britt

Vandy Dimitri Moore

Good call on Buddy Johnson. Another late round prospects I forgot to mention were Paddy Fisher from Northwestern and Josh Ross out of Michigan.

Yeah Johnson is my choice, took him in my mock, I have to watch more on Fisher, no clue about him honestly.

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Yeah Johnson is my choice, took him in my mock, I have to watch more on Fisher, no clue about him honestly.

Only watched two games from him this year. He was way more hyped last season, but he's shown some inconsistency in coverage and even has a few missed tackles this season despite being known as someone that can lay the hammer down when needed. Needs to trust his technique more.

Originally posted by AsianJeff:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Yeah Johnson is my choice, took him in my mock, I have to watch more on Fisher, no clue about him honestly.

Only watched two games from him this year. He was way more hyped last season, but he's shown some inconsistency in coverage and even has a few missed tackles this season despite being known as someone that can lay the hammer down when needed. Needs to trust his technique more.

Thanks for the info, I'll def keep an eye out for him

I want paddy just for the spud name

I like Chaz Surratt, hard to believe he was a quarterback.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah kid from Notre Dame would be perfect to play the SAM/ROVER position but he'll be long gone after the Niners fill their immediate needs. Al-Shaair and Harris aren't cutting it.

Originally posted by jimrat:
I like Chaz Surratt, hard to believe he was a quarterback.

The idea of Surratt and Warner playing side by side....that's a lot of smarts on the field. Combine that with Greenlaw's speed, they'd make arguably the best linebacker trio in the NFL.

AS good as our team is, I can't believe we have so many needs... OL, LB, DB... the 4 year brick by brick has been BRICKIN... no developing backups whatsoever..

Originally posted by 9moon:

AS good as our team is, I can't believe we have so many needs... OL, LB, DB... the 4 year brick by brick has been BRICKIN... no developing backups whatsoever..

Some of these are surprises. Others are because of the cap. All teams have needs somewhere. Even the Chiefs. The difference is the QB is so good the needs aren't as glaring.

Originally posted by AsianJeff:

Originally posted by jimrat:

I like Chaz Surratt, hard to believe he was a quarterback.

The idea of Surratt and Warner playing side by side....that's a lot of smarts on the field. Combine that with Greenlaw's speed, they'd make arguably the best linebacker trio in the NFL.

Yes, one can dream haha

Originally posted by jimrat:
I like Chaz Surratt, hard to believe he was a quarterback.

He went the opposite direction of JG who started as a LB and moved to QB. He was probably too slow to play LB at a higher level.

LB may not be the top need but if there isn't an O linemen or QB that looks like a good fit when the Niners pick I would consider Surratt. Another good LB can really pump up the defense. He could be used to rush the passer or drop into coverage. That was one of the few areas that stayed relatively healthy this season but there's no question they are thin at that position. If Warner went down they would have a huge hole in the defense.