2014 NFL Mock Draft: Ryan Shazier selected by San Francisco 49ers

At the conclusion of their 2013 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers were one game away from a repeat visit to the Super Bowl. While the team's offense showed sporadic flashes of greatness throughout the year, it was the team's defense (which ranked top 5 all season) that kept them relevant in a very competitive NFC West division.

The defense, whose secondary was at times considered suspect, was led by a stout front seven with Pro Bowl LB Navarro Bowman at the helm. Bowman, who led the team last season in solo tackles with 120, was unfortunately injured in the NFC title game and is not expected to return until mid-season at earliest. Backup Michael Wilhoite was able to perform decently when filling in for Patrick Willis for 2 games last season, but is expected to compete for the Bowman's starting role alongside depth players Nick Moody, and Darius Fleming.

At pick #30 the 49ers would be wise to shore up the LB position and maintain its defensive dominance with an immediate impact player that can fill the void left by Bowman. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes players who are versatile, athletic and explosive, attributes that are embodied by Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazeir. Shazier is a 6'2 237lb defensive force whose football instincts and ability have been referred to as freakish. He posted a 42in vertical and a phenomenal (yet unofficial) 4.38 40-time at Ohio States ProDay.

Shazier is a versatile player that has played at DE, Inside LB and Outside LB. His 101 solo tackles (24 for loss) last season ranked 3rd in the nation and as a junior he was on pace to set multiple Ohio State tackle records next season. Shazier has been mocked going as early as pick 20 to the Cardinals but fortunately for Jim Harbaugh & company he is available and cannot be overlooked at pick 30.

2014 BGN Mock Draft Order

1 Houston Texans (Imp) - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville - [Explanation]
2 St. Louis Rams (starship 007) - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson - [Explanation]
3 Jacksonville Jaguars (sports00fan00) - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, SC - [Explanation]
4 Cleveland Browns (InHinkieWeTrust) - Johnny Manziel, QB, TAMU - [Explanation]
5 Oakland Raiders (SleepingDuck) - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo - [Explanation]
6 Atlanta Falcons (jimmyrustler) - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn - [Explanation]
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AnthroEagle) - Blake Bortles, QB, UCF - [Explanation]
8 Minnesota Vikings (pot) - Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA - [Explanation]
9 Buffalo Bills (wow4444) - Jake Matthews, OT, TAMU - [Explanation]
10 Detroit Lions (kamjam) - Mike Evans, WR, TAMU - [Explanation]
11 Tennessee Titans (NowWhat?) - Justin Gilbert, CB, OK State - [Explanation]
12 New York Giants (Anthony DiBona) - Eric Ebron, TE, UNC - [Explanation]
13 St. Louis Rams (ILL Eagle) - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama - [Explanation]
14 Chicago Bears (JerkyBoy) - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville - [Explanation]
15 Pittsburgh Steelers (KJ Brophy) - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan - [Explanation]
16 Dallas Cowboys (Patrick Wall) - C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama - [Explanation]
17 Baltimore Ravens (rohan915) - Zack Martin, OT, ND - [Explanation]
18 New York Jets (del.champion) - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State - [Explanation]
19 Miami Dolphins (HD) - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh - [Explanation]
20 Arizona Cardinals (NCeagle) - Kony Ealy, DE, Mizzou - [Explanation]
21 Green Bay Packers (ablesser88) - Jimmie Ward, S, NIU - [Explanation]
22 Philadelphia Eagles (jhn) - Marqise Lee, WR, USC - [Explanation]
23 Kansas City Chiefs (PeaceVT) - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU - [Explanation]
24 Cincinnati Bengals (deg0ey) - Bradley Roby, CB, OSU - [Explanation]
25 San Diego Chargers (StoneColeKiller58) - Kyle Fuller, CB, VT - [Explanation]
26 Cleveland Browns (P_Roach17) - Darqueze Dennard, CB, MSU - [Explanation]
27 New Orleans Saints (bebin) - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, FSU - [Explanation]
28 Carolina Panthers (MikeKafka) - Jason Verrett, CB, TCU - [Explanation]
29 New England Patriots (Amateur_Hour) - R. Hageman, DT, Minn - [Explanation]
30 San Francisco 49ers (AndyMcNabb) - Ryan Shazier, LB, OSU - [Explanation]
31 Denver Broncos (dceagles) -
32 Seattle Seahawks (eagles0132) -