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.

Among the most consistent aspects of the 2019 draft process has been at the top of nearly every big board: Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa and Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. The pair represent 1A and 1B among analysts and have distanced themselves from the pack as two sure-fire prospects. With the Arizona Cardinals widely expected to pick Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray first-overall, this leaves the 49ers Bosa and Williams – a choice that may prove more difficult than expected for Lynch. We’ve already taken a look at Bosa, so let’s break down what Williams brings to the table for the 49ers.

Good

There are some that have Williams, not Bosa, as their No. 1 player in the 2019 draft. An impressive feather in the cap of a player with just one full season of college experience. In 2017, Allen (6-3, 303) only played in nine games as a sophomore at Alabama as a rotational piece of their defensive line. He exceeded expectations in 2018 as a starter, totaling 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 15 games. Allen possesses a unique blend of power and quickness. His hands, feet, movement and instincts allow Allen to win consistently in both the run and pass game.

Bad

Outside of his inexperience, there isn’t much to criticize in Allen’s skillset. He can struggle to hold his ground when double-teamed, a byproduct of a frame that might be considered slightly undersized by NFL evaluators. Most of Allen’s critiques among scouts could border on nit-picking, given his impressive and polished ability in spite of limited experience.

Fit

Allen would be the 49ers’ fourth first-round defensive lineman in five years. He’d join a crowded front consisting of Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas. Allen’s best fit in Robert Saleh’s 4-3 defense would be at three-technique, where Buckner plays. Fortunately, both Allen and Buckner’s skillset allows them to play anywhere along the interior. If the 49ers select Allen, it would guarantee reduced snaps for both Armstead and Thomas, the teams third-overall pick in 2017.

Projection

Williams is essentially a lock for the Top 5. The 49ers may be able to trade back as far as No. 4, but if they’re sold on Williams, second-overall is the safest place to get him.

Why

If Bosa goes first-overall to the Cardinals, Williams becomes a very strong possibility for the 49ers as the best player available. There’s also a chance he could be the pick even if Bosa is still on the board. The defensive line isn’t a position of need, but Lynch could believe that Williams’ impressive skillset is enough to warrant the addition. Thomas has struggled to have an impact through his first two seasons and Armstead is playing 2019 under the fifth-year option. If neither earns a spot in the 49ers’ long-term plans, the Williams selection begins to make a lot more sense. He and Buckner would give the defense a formidable interior duo for the foreseeable future.