It seems unthinkable the 49ers would skip on an edge rusher with the No. 2 pick in the draft. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have both emphasized the importance of the position, and they’ve made only one major move to improve that area, which happens to be the weakest on their roster.
However, if they do skip the position in favor of Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, or they trade back and go another direction entirely in Round 1 with a safety or a receiver.
If they go that route, an edge rusher suddenly becomes a dire need that has to be addressed at least once on the second day of the draft. Of course, there’s also a scenario where the 49ers select an edge rusher in Round 1, then opt for another in Round 2 or 3 in an attempt to solidify that position with high quality depth.
Here are six Day 2 EDGE options for the 49ers:
Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
Ferguson didn’t get to work out at the combine because of an off-field issue that emerged during the NFL’s background check. However, his 6-5, 271-pound frame to go with 45 sacks and 67.5 tackles for loss in four college seasons makes him a very intriguing Day 2 prospect. There’s a lot of versatility in Ferguson’s tape in terms of where he rushes from, but he rarely beats the tackle with speed and bend around the corner. He’s extremely strong though with good balance, and could develop into a dominant edge rusher. The 49ers would have a bit of a project on their hands, but the size and talent is hard to ignore.
Chase Winovich, Michigan
There’s a chance Winovich is on the 49ers’ radar no matter what they do in Round 1. He’s not an elite athlete, but he does a great job playing fast because of his ability to quickly diagnose plays. It’s hard to miss Winovich on tape because he plays like a wrecking ball, and the likelihood is high that Lynch falls in love with him because of that style of play. Winovich is a tad undersized for a 4-3 defensive end at 6-3, 256 pounds, but his motor and instincts will make him a problem for opposing offensive lines in the NFL.
Joe Jackson, Miami (FL)
Jackson’s productivity doesn’t quite match his physical traits as an outside pass rusher. He’s not exceptionally quick, and his ability to bend around the corner is sub-optimal. However, his 6-4, 275-pound, lengthy frame comes with a ton of strength that allows him to move offensive tackles even when they stay in front of him. He’s like Winovich in that it’s easy to see where the 49ers might become enamored with him. Jackson posted 22.5 sacks and 35 tackles for loss thanks in part to his motor and willingness to not give up on plays. A sub package that features Jackson on the end, with Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner in the middle, and Dee Ford on the other end would be a lot for opposing defenses to handle.
Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan
There’s a chance Crosby slides to Day 3, but he’s an extremely interesting player to keep an eye on because of his production despite coming in at 6-5, 255 pounds. He’s very thin and relied a lot on quickness and flexibility to beat offensive linemen. However, he still posted 35.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks during his two years as a full-time starter. There’ll be concerns about his ability to maintain his slipperiness with added bulk, but his upside could make him a developmental edge rusher for San Francisco who’ll be ready for full-time duty either late in 2019 or 2020.
Christian Miller, Alabama
Versatility makes Miller a fascinating player for the 49ers to consider on Day 2. He has good length despite coming in at just 6-3, 247 pounds at the combine. The athleticism Miller has really stands out when watching him on tape, and it could allow the 49ers to move him between SAM linebacker and defensive end. He might be better suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but a playmaking edge defender who can also slide in as a strong side linebacker would be tough for a team like San Francisco to overlook.
Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
Ximines might actually be at the top of this list if we’re ranking the players who could help the 49ers’ edge rush right away. He racked up 32.5 sacks and 51 tackles for loss in four years at ODU. His production ticked up every year thanks in part to a well-developed set of pass rush moves. None of his sacks look the same, and he wins in a variety of ways. Two issues arise in that he’s a bit undersized at 6-3. 247 pounds, and his level of competition in Conference USA wasn’t elite. His skill set is vast though, and if the 49ers think he can play some snaps at SAM, he’d be a fine addition if they skip an edge player in the first round.
