We’re taking a look at prospects the 49ers could target in the 2019 NFL Draft.

General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan enter into Year 3 at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers. The team holds the second-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after finishing 2018 with a 4-12 record. Despite an active free agency, the 49ers’ roster is still in need of upgrades at several key positions. In this series, we’ll be taking a look at prospects that could be on the 49ers’ radar throughout the draft beginning on April 25.

The majority of the spotlight at second-overall has been afforded to the draft’s two best prospects, Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams. Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen is typically on the outside looking in when it comes to prospects projected to the 49ers, but that wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until the Arizona Cardinals were expected to take Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray that Bosa, rather than Allen, became the popular choice for the 49ers among draft analysts. Despite his dip in popularity, there’s still plenty of reason for San Francisco to consider the Wildcat standout.

Good

Allen’s versatility is his strongest selling point. He has the ability to set the edge, drop into coverage and rush the passer at a high level. Allen’s productivity was impressive in 2018. In 13 games, he amassed 88 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles and four pass breakups. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Allen ran the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds at the NFL Combine, reinforcing both his ability to threaten the edge as a pass rusher or cover tight ends and running backs downfield. Allen’s unique blend of size, speed and athleticism will draw teams toward what’s likely to be considered untapped potential, despite solid production at Kentucky.

Bad

Allen, to some, has earned the label of “jack of all trades but a master of none.” His versatility is undoubtedly a positive attribute, but not if it comes at the cost of what will be his primary responsibility in the NFL: sacking the quarterback. A noticeable number of Allen’s sacks at Kentucky were on stunts or broken plays in which he was left unblocked or the quarterback was forced his direction. He displays a reliance on a small set of pass rush moves and lacks effective counters. Despite his success, Allen is still a developing prospect that will benefit from NFL coaching.

Fit

Allen’s fit into the 49ers’ 4-3 defense is another strong selling point. His athleticism would allow him to fill the role of SAM linebacker on base downs, setting the edge, keeping contain and occasionally dropping into coverage where he’s already proven reliable. For the majority of snaps, Allen would rush the passer opposite Dee Ford. The pair would make for a dangerous combination along the edges to complement the interior pressure of DeForest Buckner.

Projection

Allen is commonly projected to the New York Jets at pick No. 3. If the 49ers are attracted to Allen’s versatile skillset, their safest bet will be to select him at second-overall. There’s also a chance that Allen could be available if the 49ers trade back slightly, with say, the Raiders at four.

Why

Allen’s draw will likely vary based on who’s on the board when the 49ers pick at No. 2. If Bosa remains, there’s little chance Lynch would target Allen instead. If it’s Williams, and teams aren’t banging down the door to trade up, then Allen may tempt the 49ers and their need for another edge rusher. If the 49ers truly see Ford as an every-down defensive end, then adding Allen would give coordinator Robert Saleh a pair of dynamic, impact defenders on the field for every snap. He may not have the allure of Bosa or Williams, but Allen would still be a substantial upgrade for a 49ers defense that could benefit from every aspect of his skillset.