With The First Pick
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49ers: 3 Options with 12th overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft

By Nicholas McGee

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kwity Paye could land with 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

The 49ers lost both of their starting edge rushers for most of the 2020 season, Nick Bosa and Dee Ford playing just one full game each.

That San Francisco still finished the season ranked sixth in Football Outsiders DVOA on defense is a tribute to former defensive coordinator and recently hired New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Yet if the Niners are to continue to excel on that side of the ball, they will likely need better pass-rushing production off the edge.

Bosa was unfortunate in suffering a torn ACL in Week 2 but the back problems that kept Ford on the sideline hint at a longer-term issue and a probable parting given the Niners can save $6 million by parting with a player who has missed 20 games through injury in two seasons.

If the Niners do move on from Ford, Paye is an excellent candidate to fill the void. He has heavy hands and excels at converting his burst and speed off the snap to power.

It is that speed and his athletic abilities that would allow Paye to slot nicely into a 49ers front that uses the Wide 9 technique.

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Assuming defensive line coach Kris Kocurek does not follow Saleh to New York, Paye is a pass rusher who can make quick strides with San Francisco and form a fearsome edge-rushing duo with Bosa.