SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have selected Missouri linebacker Aldon Smith with the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-4, 258-pound Smith is slated to be a strong-side outside linebacker as part of a unit led by superstar All-Pro Patrick Willis. The Niners were expected to upgrade their defense with their top pick. Smith provides an athletic, long-limbed pass rusher who set Big 12 freshman records for sacks and tackles for loss in 2009. He finished with 17 career sacks in his two college seasons for the Tigers.
He was limited by a leg injury during his sophomore season.
