49ers make Florida State LB Tatum Bethune a 7th-round draft pick

The San Francisco 49ers selected Florida State linebacker Tatum Bethune with the 31st pick (No. 251 overall) in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

College Statistics:
Bethune registered 70 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, three passes defensed, and an interception through 13 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his collegiate career, he recorded 339 tackles, including 28 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles over five seasons.

Lance Zierlein's NFL.com scouting report:
Bethune's linebacker play won't make it on most teaching tape, but it doesn't take much time to figure out that he's a football player. He's an inside linebacker with average size and questionable top-end speed, but he plays with reaction quickness. He'll take on blocks with aggression and plays with decent tackle strength in space. He has sound football IQ, but recognition of blocking scheme and play design can be inconsistent. He has good coverage awareness and can drag Y tight ends around the field. Bethune can be unorthodox, and he'll miss more tackles than you'd like, but he's productive, with a feel for the game that could see him land as a Day 3 linebacker with backup potential inside.

Pre-Draft Grade:
Bethune earned a pre-draft grade of 5.86 from NFL.com, which equates to an "average backup or special-teams player," per the site's 8-point grading scale.

Projection:
NFL.com projected Bethune to be an undrafted free agent.

NFL Scouting Combine:
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Bethune posted 16 reps on the bench press.

Measurements:
Bethune is 5' 11 1/2" and 229 pounds. Additionally, he boasts an arm length of 32 3/8 inches and hands measuring 10 inches.

Hometown:
Miami, FL

Dane Brugler's draft profile at The Athletic:
A run-and-hit player, Bethune is a violent striker with large hands, relentless play demeanor and better power in his frame than expected. Though he is consistently around the football, because of his warp processing speed, his positioning and balance will suffer at times, leaving him out-leveraged and falling off tackle attempts. Overall, Bethune is a fast-flow linebacker who plays with intent and coverage upside, but his aggressive nature will be used against him at the NFL level. He projects as an NFL backup and special teamer.