49ers will host Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith for pre-draft visit

The San Francisco 49ers will host Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith for a pre-draft visit at the team's headquarters, which was first reported last month by the Macon Telegraph. Smith will be one of three known pre-draft visitors. The other two are center James Daniels of Iowa and wide receiver Byron Pringle of Kansas State.

Smith said he also has visits scheduled with the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and Indianapolis Colts. It's safe to say he likely has visits on his agenda with other teams in the top-15 of the draft. Smith would be a solid fit for the 49ers' Will linebacker spot. Malcolm Smith, who is slated as a starter at the position, is expected to be ready for the team's offseason program, which kicks off on April 16.

The future for second-year linebacker Reuben Foster, who would start next to Malcolm Smith, is murky. He is expected to be disciplined by the league following two offseason arrests, one of which involved suspicion of domestic violence. Under the NFL's domestic violence policy, players are subject to a baseline suspension of six games without pay following the first incident and a lifetime ban from the league for a second infraction.

RELATED 49ers 2018 Pre-Draft Visit/Meeting Tracker

Roquan Smith, the 2017 Butkus Award winner, registered college career highs of 137 combined tackles, 14 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries in 15 games last year, according to Sports Reference. He also had a forced fumble. In 2016, Smith recorded 95 combined tackles, five for a loss, a pass defensed, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 13 games and 10 starts.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-1 and 236-pound Smith had a 40-time of 4.51 seconds. Other measurables for Smith include an arm length of 32 inches and hands that measure 10 inches.

NFL.com projects Smith to be a first-round selection in the draft, likely even a top-15 or even top-10 pick.

Lance Zierlein of NFL Media, who compares Smith to Deion Jones, had the following to say in his scouting report:

"Smith is an ascending linebacker prospect with elite athletic ability, plus intelligence and an ability to be an effective cover linebacker on passing downs. While he's a little undersized, he does have the quickness and speed to keep himself from being mauled. He was good in 2016, but great in 2017 and projects as a player who hasn't tapped his full potential. Smith has Pro Bowl traits and talent and will come off the board in the first round."

College Statistics