[ThePundit]

Thomas Sorrell at realfootball365.com thinks so.

Given the San Francisco 49ers ' glaring need for help at the linebacker position, Patrick Willis, the 6-foot-1, 242-pounder from the University of Mississippi, would be a logical selection with the 11th overall pick in April's draft. If teamed with Manny Lawson, Brandon Moore and a free-agent acquisition such as Adalius Thomas, the four of them could wreak havoc on opponents and become one of the most formidable linebacking corps in the league - thus allowing Lawson to become one of the most feared.

There are only a few names that come up when you're talking about the greatest linebackers in history. Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus and, of course, Lawrence Taylor are on just about everyone's short list; and Taylor, the original "L.T.," is considered by many as the best. He genuinely frightened opponents when he played. When asked about Taylor, Terry Bradshaw, once said, "He dang-near killed me, I just kept saying, 'Who is this guy?' He kept coming from my blind side and just ripped my ribs to pieces."

Though he is not flashy, Willis is immensely talented and is also fast enough to reach any spot on the field he needs to (he ran a 4.50 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine). When it comes to bringing down the ball carrier, few can claim to do it better. At Ole Miss, Willis -- a middle linebacker -- was a tackling machine, having recorded 265 (21 for a loss) tackles in his final 22 games. He could step in to the starting lineup almost immediately and help Lawson's progression.

According to Scout.com, the Butkus Award winner was "the most impressive linebacker throughout the (Senior Bowl). The South's Defensive Player of the Game (led) both teams with 11 tackles, Willis was everywhere. Some have questioned his speed, but Willis consistently beat backs to the edge and was effective in coverage today, as well."

San Francisco 49ers "Draft Prospectus: Patrick Willis" - Realfootball365.com
Candlejack and other Niner fans: What do you think? Should they draft this kid?