Tweener Linebackers

Is there a linebacker in this years draft that could play inside or outside? That might be an interesting pick for the Niners to provide backup on both sides of the ball.

Shea McClellan & Tank Carder

thank you for the feedback. What position does Kuechely play -ILB or OLB?

Kuechly is an ILB all the way. He is a tackling machine but probably wouldnt be able to stand up to the point of attack at the OLB spot. McClellin ways in at 260 and plays more like a OLB who also played well inside, although sparringly. Carder is the opposite and played in TCU's non traditional defense. Played mostly in a ILB role and is a tackling machine and leader, while also showing the capacity to line up outside and get after the passer. But at the NFL level either player would only serve as emergency depth at the secondary position. Like Carder wouldnt hold up trying to set the edge, and you wouldnt want to count on McClellin going sideline to sideline as a ILB.

In most cases players that are elite enough athletes to play both spots are probably ranked pretty high at their primary position, and once drafted would be pencilled in at that position unless he couldnt handle it and had to switch spots to keep a roster spot. Von Miller is a guy who could be very good at both, but would never play inside if DJ Williams goes down cause if he is on the field he's gonna rush the passer.

Thank you again. Do you see McClellan or Carder as potentials for SF?

Keep in mind Tavares Gooden played both OLB and ILB at Miami. He can backup for Willis, Bowman and in case of an emergency fill in for some reason if we need a 4th OLB. Would probably take Brooks or Aldon AND Haralson to get hurt because most likely Haralson plays every snap if someone goes down. Especially if it's only 1 game. If it's a significant amount of time he might fill in some plays or we could look to free agency to get an OLB. So if we wanted to save a few roster spots we could use Gooden as 3rd ILB and 4th OLB. Depends on if we want to draft guys to develop or not.

Just thinking that Ballke likes players who can do more than one thing. A two fer one player would be interesting for Baalke to backup the linebackers and keep new young blood coming into the linebacker corps. So if McClellan or Carder was one of those LBs then thy might end up on the NIners draft board.

Like Carder wouldnt hold up trying to set the edge, and you wouldnt want to count on McClellin going sideline to sideline as a ILB.

I think Vinny Curry could be a stud pass rusher. He may be a situational rusher, but Aldon showed the impact a pass rush specialist can have in limited action.

Originally posted by strickac:
I think Vinny Curry could be a stud pass rusher. He may be a situational rusher, but Aldon showed the impact a pass rush specialist can have in limited action.

He would be a very nice addition to the 49ers defense for sure.

Bobby Wagner is an inside/outside guy.
Mychal Kendricks from Cal too.
Demario Davis from Ark. State can play inside or out in a 4-3.

I like McClellan and Wagner as potential picks.

What do you think the possibilities of Vinny Curry, Wadgner, Carder, or Kendricks are?

Acho intrigues me

I'm sticking with Curry. I think he'll prove to be the best pass rusher out of this class.