6 Edge-Rushers the 49ers Should Consider in the NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers know as well as any other team that generating pressure is vital to success on defense in the NFL.

That's why it was disappointing, although somewhat understandable given Aldon Smith's suspension, to see the Niners struggle in pursuing the quarterback in 2014, posting only 36 sacks.

San Francisco has plenty of areas to address in the 2015 draft, however, it is a commonly held belief that a team can never have enough pass-rushers. And, with the future of outside linebackers Dan Skuta and Ahmad Brooks perhaps in question, the Niners should certainly be considering adding another into the mix.

Smith, providing he can stay out of off-the-field trouble and avoid injury, will be available for the full season in 2015 and will look to build an exciting partnership with sophomore Aaron Lynch, who put up six sacks, eight quarterback hits and 27 hurries in his rookie year, according to Pro Football Focus.

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported Smith has restructured the remaining year of his contract with the 49ers so his $9.75 million salary is paid in a series of roster bonuses. His agent described this move as Smith "betting on himself" to keep his nose clean and perform to earn a big payday with San Francisco at the end of the 2015 season.

Yet there is no guarantee he will fulfill those criteria; it would be wise for the Niners to create competition and ensure they have a contingency plan for Smith's potential departure by drafting a pass-rush specialist.

The likes of Dante Fowler, Shane Ray, Randy Gregory and Vic Beasley are all likely to be off the board when the 49ers make their first-round selection, but here I analyse six players who are within their reach and are worth considering as the draft draws closer. 

James Vaughters

The 49ers may not have to look outside of the Bay Area to find a player who can be developed into an exciting pass-rusher in the NFL.

Stanford's James Vaughters is an outside linebacker few will have heard of, but one who has demonstrated the ability to make an impact as a pass-rusher during his time in Palo Alto. Vaughters enjoyed his best season in 2014, putting up 6.5 sacks as well 11 tackles for the loss and has the physical build and first step needed to be an effective edge-rusher at the next level.

A forceful tackler with the ability to turn his speed in power when taking on a blocker, there is a lot to like about Vaughters, who also has experience dropping into coverage in Stanford's 3-4 defense, however, much like a previous 49er draft pick—inside linebacker Chris Borland—there are doubts over his athleticism.

Indeed, as Dane Brugler of CBSSports points out, Vaughters' impressive strength is somewhat offset by his disappointing lower body flexibility. Vaughters is often seen to be a step behind the play yet, with experience on special teams and the versatility to play on the inside and outside, he is a prospect with a lot of upside.

A likely seventh-round pick, Vaughters' best shot of making an immediate impact is on special teams. But, given his production in recent years, he is certainly worth a late-round flier.

Markus Golden

Perhaps overshadowed by Missouri teammate Shane Ray, Markus Golden is one of the more unheralded edge-rushers in the 2015 class. 

Golden enjoyed his best year with the Tigers in his senior season, which saw him record 78 tackles with 20 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks as well as three forced fumbles with one returned for a touchdown.

A high-motor guy, what stands out most about the 6'2" and 260-pound Golden is his burst off the snap. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.90 seconds, but the film shows a player with an explosive first step with the desire and the closing speed to be a consistent impact player.

What is concerning about Golden—who played as a 4-3 end at Missouri but projects more as an outside linebacker in the pros—is he does not appear to possess much else aside from the burst and the power to take on blockers. He does not have a pass-rush move and could stand to use his hands better if he is to make it in the NFL.

Golden's athletic gifts are what will attract teams to him but he cannot afford to rely solely on them at the next level. Still, he represents excellent value as a potential fourth- or fifth-round pick and, with the right coaching, has the talent to be moulded into a solid pro pass-rusher.

Lorenzo Mauldin

Lorenzo Mauldin has a name that sounds like that of an NFL pass-rusher, and his play on the field in college suggests he should develop into a good one.

In four seasons at Louisville, Mauldin compiled 20.5 sacks, although his production in his final year dipped somewhat with just 6.5 of those sacks coming in 2014. Despite that minor drop-off, Mauldin is a player NFL scouts should be very excited about.

Somewhat undersized at 6'4" and 259 pounds, Mauldin is not the quickest of pass-rushers—as evidenced by his time of 4.85 seconds at the combine—but wins instead with good use of his hands, persistence, power and an exceptional swim move with which he often dominated opposing offensive lineman.

Able to play with his hand in the dirt and as a stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker, Mauldin rarely stays blocked and demonstrates impressive determination, which—per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein is borne out of a motivation to succeed following a difficult childhood.

The 49ers, who have had their issues with players' off-the-field troubles, should be impressed by his character and his ability to make plays against the run—Mauldin made 31.5 tackles for loss in his college career—as well as the pass.

Mauldin's lack of size could be an issue at the highest level but, for a player projected as a third- or fourth-round pick by CBSSports, he is most definitely worth the gamble.

Hau'oli Kikaha

In terms of sheer production, there are few better pass-rushers in the draft than Washington's Hau'oli Kikaha.

Kikaha's final year with the Huskies saw him rack up a magnificent 19 sacks, with the Hawaii-born outside linebacker displaying the first step and speed to beat blockers around the edge with little difficulty.

His history of ACL injuries while at college may hurt Kikaha's standing among NFL teams. However, it would be a mistake to discount him purely based on previous fitness issues. Kikaha has the loose hips needed to operate in coverage, although he does not possess the functional strength to make an instant contribution as a run defender at the highest level.

A player with an almost tireless motor, Kikaha's moves with his hands appear much more developed than many of the other edge-rushers in the class, and his skills in coverage should be highly valued by a 49er team that figures to get thinner on the outside with Skuta set for free agency and Ahmad Brooks considered to be a cap casualty candidate.

The predominant problem Kikaha has is he has too often been slowed down by blockers and does not possess the ability to shed with any sort of effectiveness.

Kikaha will require more than sheer speed and some useful moves with his hands if he is to trouble NFL offensive linemen, yet in Smith the Niners have one of the best in the business he can learn from. And, with Kikaha viewed as a second- or third-round pick by CBSSports, he could prove to be an astute Day 2 pickup for any team in need of pass-rush help.

Eli Harold

Projected as a late first- or second-round pick by CBSSports, Virginia's Eli Harold is a player with the ability and the mentality to become a force at the next level.

Playing on disappointing Cavaliers teams for three seasons, Harold was a consistent contributor, operating with his hand down as a defensive end and as an outside linebacker in Virginia's multiple 3-4 defense. Harold's production was down in his final year in Charlottesville, however, his final numbers—17.5 sacks and 36.5 sacks in three seasons—are a testament to his impressive physical skills and tireless motor.

Harold is able to win with both inside and outside moves and, while he does not possess the same explosion of the top pass-rushers in the draft, his first step and closing speed have proven to be enough for him to make plays throughout his collegiate career.

A high-energy defender who is a strong and determined hands-fighter, Harold often gets to the quarterback as a result of sheer effort, although that could be viewed as more of a negative than a positive aspect of his play.

Indeed, Harold—with his lean 6'3" and 247-pound frame—appeared to find it difficult to stack and shed blockers and will likely need to add some bulk if he is to be a success in the NFL. Still, the 49ers should love his determination and would be wise to considering spending a second-round pick on Harold if he is available at pick No. 46

Alvin Dupree

Fowler, Gregory, Ray and Beasley may all be out of the 49ers' reach, but one dynamic rusher who could be there when San Francisco picks at No. 15 is Bud Dupree of Kentucky. 

Dupree produced throughout his career with the Wildcats, putting up 23.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown. And, watching the film, it is not difficult to see why he excelled with Kentucky.

A player with an explosive first step, Dupree's get off the line gives him an instant advantage over blockers. Additionally, he makes use of quick feet and hands to put together secondary pass-rush moves to break into the backfield.

The pressure Dupree generated was a big part of the reason why Kentucky forced 15 interceptions and 11 fumbles in 2014. And, with his physical attributes—he stands at 6'4" and 269 pounds but was still able to post a time of 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical leap at the combine—Dupree has the potential to make an instant impact as a pass-rushing outside linebacker in the Niners' 3-4 defense.

Yet Dupree is far from the polished prospect. He appears to lack intensity and often tends to stay blocked, seeming to give up on plays on a regular basis. Furthermore he is not a good open-field tackler and struggled to make plays consistently in the run game.

However, with the right motivation and coaching from head coach Jim Tomsula's staff, those bad habits could soon be a thing of the past. Dupree is raw, but he is a productive physical specimen who would be a significant boost to the San Francisco defense.

All collegiate statistics courtesy of Sports Reference.

Nicholas McGee is a San Francisco 49ers Featured Columnist based in Leeds, England. Follow him on Twitter @nicholasmcgee24.