San Francisco 49ers Draft Countdown: Making the Case for Shaq Thompson

The San Francisco 49ers need to draft a linebacker who can run.

They used to have two of the fastest linebackers in the NFL—Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. They were the core of the defense, and they could cover tight ends, running backs, even some wide receivers.

But Willis retired. Bowman still is around, but he tore his ACL and MCL. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse fell on Bowman’s leg and bent it sideways in the 2014 NFC Championship Game.

Bowman didn’t play last season. He probably will play next season, but does he still run fast? Is he agile? Can he cut on his surgically repaired knee?

If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” then Bowman probably can’t cover the 49ers’ newest division rival, Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham.

The Niners need a linebacker who can cover the three-time Pro Bowler if they want to contend in the NFC West. There's no use spending a high draft pick on a linebacker who can’t cover Graham.

Most linebackers in the upcoming draft can’t. Graham moves like a wide receiver. He runs a 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, and he runs a three-cone drill (an agility test) in 6.90 seconds. Hardly any linebackers move that well.

Former Miami (Florida) linebacker Denzel Perryman ran a 4.7 at his pro day. That's not fast enough to cover Graham.

Former TCU linebacker Paul Dawson runs a 4.77. Not fast enough.

Former Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney runs a three-cone drill in 7.21 seconds. Not agile enough.

Of the top linebackers in the draft, only four would have a chance against Graham—UCLA’s Eric Kendricks, Clemson’s Stephone Anthony, LSU’s Kwon Alexander and Washington’s Shaq Thompson. Here’s a breakdown for each player.

Eric Kendricks

Three-cone: 7.16

Grade: First round

Most draft experts consider Kendricks the best inside linebacker in the draft. He’s a good run defender, he’s fast, and he was solid in coverage at UCLA. He broke up 16 passes and intercepted five in four seasons.

Some team probably will draft Kendricks in Round 1. Should the Niners be that team? Kendricks turned 23 in February, he has short arms (31"), and he weighs only 232 pounds. He might be as big as he’s going to get.

He’s not worth the Niners’ first-rounder. They should pass on Kendricks.

Stephone Anthony

Three-cone: 7.07

Grade: Second round

Anthony is more athletic than Kendricks.

But athleticism isn’t all that matters. Plenty of athletic linebackers struggle in the NFL—such as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter, for example. He was a second-round pick, and he runs a 4.57. But he’s no good in coverage. Pro Football Focus gave him a minus-10.1 coverage grade last season.

Like Carter, Anthony has questionable instincts against the run and pass. Instincts are important.

Pass.

Kwon Alexander

Three-cone: 7.14

Grade: Third round

Here's another athlete with poor instincts. Alexander broke up just six passes and intercepted none in three seasons at LSU.

Pass.

Shaq Thompson

Three-cone: 6.99

Grade: Second round

Thompson broke up 16 passes and intercepted five in three years at Washington. He is a natural in man coverage.

He is a natural at football. In college, he played linebacker, safety, special teams and even running back—he averaged 7.5 yards per carry. He’s a fluid athlete with a great feel for the game. He can do everything.

Teams probably will wait until Round 2 to draft Thompson because he weighs only 228 pounds. But he’s only 20 (he turns 21 on April 21), and he still is growing into his body. He has long arms (33"), so he seems to have the frame to add weight.

Until he gets bigger, he can play “Jack” linebacker in the 49ers’ base 3-4 defense. The Jack is like a “Will” linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Each one lines up behind a defensive tackle who acts as a shield and allows him to roam free. Since neither the Jack nor the Will has to take on offensive linemen during running plays, both can weigh less than 240 pounds.

When the Niners use their nickel defense in passing situations, Thompson can move from the weak side of the formation to the strong side and cover the tight end.

They should find a way to get him in Round 2. Trade up a few spots if necessary. Thompson is their answer for Jimmy Graham.

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