With The First Pick
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49ers: 3 2020 NFL Draft UDFAs with best odds to make the team

By Nicholas McGee

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Salvon Ahmed #26 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball against the Boise State Broncos during the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Washington won 38-7. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Salvon Ahmed #26 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball against the Boise State Broncos during the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Washington won 38-7. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KANSAS – AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Andrew Parchment #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks carries the ball as linebacker Jonas Griffith #46 of the Indiana State Sycamores defends during the game at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Andrew Parchment #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks carries the ball as linebacker Jonas Griffith #46 of the Indiana State Sycamores defends during the game at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Jonas Griffith, LB, Indiana State

The 49ers are set in terms of their starters at linebacker, with Fred Warner, Kwon Alexander and Dre Greenlaw giving them an excellent young trio at the position.

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San Francisco hit on a UDFA last year in Azeez Al-Shahir, who is the primary backup behind that triumvirate.

Joe Walker was signed in free agency primarily for his special teams value, which is also what has helped Mark Nzeocha keep his place on the roster.

However, Nzeocha is a potential cut candidate for a 49ers team that may still need to find some salary cap wiggle room for what is likely to be a market-setting contract extension for tight end George Kittle.

The Niners would save $1.6million without paying any dead money by cutting Nzeocha, according to Spotrac.

That opens an avenue to the roster for Griffith, who put up monster numbers for Indiana State in 2019, racking up 106 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks. He also had one interception, three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery and forced fumble.

Griffith lacks the speed the Niners look for at linebacker, but he demonstrated a knack for getting off blocks and finding the football during his time with the Sycamores. If he flashes in camp, the Niners may feel comfortable enough to bet on that translating to special teams production at the NFL level and go with Griffith ahead of Nzeocha.