{"id":19907,"date":"2017-04-30T23:54:27","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T03:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=19907"},"modified":"2017-04-30T23:59:32","modified_gmt":"2017-05-01T03:59:32","slug":"san-francisco-49ers-2017-nfl-draft-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/04\/30\/san-francisco-49ers-2017-nfl-draft-review\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco 49ers 2017 NFL Draft Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coming into the 2017 NFL Draft, the hardest team to mock was the San Francisco 49ers.\u00a0 No other team had a rookie general manager and head coach.\u00a0 Despite the lack of experience in the draft room, the 49ers came away with quite the haul. General manager John Lynch<\/a><\/strong> and head coach Kyle Shanahan<\/a><\/strong> inherited a baron roster. \u00a0After a solid free agent class and a stellar draft class, the duo have the 49ers poised to start building towards a sixth Lombardi Trophy.\u00a0 Here\u2019s who they selected:<\/p>\n

1st<\/sup> Round, 3rd<\/sup> Overall: DL Solomon Thomas<\/a><\/strong> (Stanford)<\/p>\n

1st<\/sup> Round, 31st<\/sup> Overall: LB Reuben Foster<\/a><\/strong> (Alabama)<\/p>\n

3rd<\/sup> Round, 66th<\/sup> Overall: CB Ahkello Witherspoon<\/a><\/strong> (Colorado)<\/p>\n

3rd<\/sup> Round, 104th<\/sup> Overall: QB C.J. Beathard<\/a><\/strong> (Iowa)<\/p>\n

4th<\/sup> Round, 121th<\/sup> Overall: RB Joe Williams<\/a><\/strong> (Utah)<\/p>\n

5th<\/sup> Round, 146th<\/sup> Overall: TE George Kittle<\/a><\/strong> (Iowa)<\/p>\n

5th<\/sup> Round, 177th<\/sup> Overall: WR Trent Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (Louisiana Tech)<\/p>\n

6th<\/sup> Round, 198th<\/sup> Overall: DL D.J. Jones<\/a><\/strong> (Ole Miss)<\/p>\n

6th<\/sup> Round, 202nd<\/sup> Overall: DL Pita Taumoepenu<\/a><\/strong> (Utah)<\/p>\n

7th<\/sup> Round, 229th<\/sup> Overall: S Adrian Colbert<\/a><\/strong> (Miami)<\/p>\n

49ers 2017 Draft Grade: 9.5\/10<\/p>\n

San Francisco 49ers 2017 NFL Draft Review<\/h2>\n

The Best Player<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It makes sense that best player the 49ers drafted would be the first one they took in the draft: Solomon Thomas<\/a>.\u00a0 There is a reason Thomas was consistently mocked within the first five or so picks.\u00a0 One does not need to look further than the Sun Bowl <\/a>to see the type of havoc Thomas can wreak on opposing quarterbacks.\u00a0 Thomas should step in and instantly boost a 49ers defense ranked 28th<\/sup> in 2016 defensive DVOA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Head-Scratcher<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The most questionable move of the draft was the selection of third round quarterback C.J. Beathard<\/a> from Iowa.\u00a0 Beathard was a prospect that many scouts had going in the later rounds.\u00a0 With Nathan Peterman, Brad Kaaya<\/a>, and Joshua Dobbs<\/strong> on the board, it especially felt like a reach.\u00a0 However, Shanahan has defended the pick, stating Beathard fits the mold of what he was looking for in a quarterback. \u00a0He cited leadership, accuracy, ability to read coverage, and passion for the game as positives. \u00a0Beathard even received high praise from the President of the United States,<\/a> who called him \u201cthe next Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>.\u201d \u00a0This pick may seem like a head-scratcher now, but if Shanahan truly is the offensive genius, this pick may be looked at in the future as a steal.<\/p>\n

The Surprise<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The biggest surprise of the draft was the hard hitting safety taken in the third round, of the 1993 draft.\u00a0John Lynch<\/a><\/strong>, selected with the 82nd<\/sup> overall pick by Tampa Bay in 1993, put to bed all early doubts and criticisms of his hiring as general manager.\u00a0 Lynch fleeced the Chicago Bears, convincing them to part with multiple picks to move up one spot and take a quarterback, who the 49ers did not want to take.\u00a0While Foster was dropping in the draft, Lynch jumped ahead of the would-be suitor New Orleans to steal him.\u00a0 Throughout the draft, Lynch traded six times, targeting players he liked and stockpiling high picks for next year\u2019s draft. \u00a0All of this came from a general manager with less than two months experience. Lynch not only managed to hold his own, but completely manipulated the draft to the 49ers advantage.<\/p>\n

The Steal<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The steal of the draft was easily Reuben Foster<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 John Lynch stated\u00a0Foster was one of the three highest rated players<\/a> on the 49ers draft board.\u00a0 Concerns over his shoulder and diluted sample at the combine caused him to drop, but he should have been long gone by pick 31. Coupling Foster with NaVorro Bowman<\/a><\/strong>, the 49ers hope to recreate the elite linebacker duo of Bowman and Patrick Willis<\/a><\/strong>, which was an integral part of the 49ers last Super Bowl run.<\/p>\n

Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ahkello Witherspoon<\/a> <\/strong>could be the player who impresses the most in Training Camp.\u00a0 With Jimmie Ward<\/a><\/strong> moving to safety and Tramaine Brock<\/a><\/strong> cut due to off the field issues, the 49ers depth chart at corner looks thin.\u00a0 Witherspoon will be competing against Keith Reaser<\/a><\/strong> and Dontae Johnson<\/a><\/strong> for the second corner spot, opposite Rashard Robinson<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Witherspoon\u2019s length and high football I.Q. also fit the mold for the exact type of corner that defensive co-ordinator Robert Saleh<\/strong> will want to build his defense around.\u00a0 Witherspoon will likely come out of camp as the second corner on the depth chart.<\/p>\n

The Rest<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With ten selections, the 49ers were able to add more intriguing prospects.\u00a0Joe Williams<\/a><\/strong> gives the 49ers a home run threat running back\u00a0with his dynamic speed. There are questions about his passion for the game and pass catching ability, but if he can stay motivated and develop, he can be special.<\/p>\n

George Kittle<\/a><\/strong> will join a crowded tight end group, but has the raw athleticism to be a play maker.\u00a0 He is a little small for the position, but he makes up for that with speed. \u00a0His familiarity with C.J. Beathard could help both their development.<\/p>\n

Trent Taylor<\/a><\/strong> was one of the most productive wide receivers throughout his college career.\u00a0 His 5\u20198 frame is less than ideal, but he will give the 49ers a fast and shifty slot receiver, accustomed to proving critics wrong.<\/p>\n

D.J. Jones<\/a><\/strong> gives the 49ers a prospect to develop at the nose tackle position.\u00a0 Currently ahead of him on the depth chart are Earl Mitchell<\/a><\/strong> and Mike Purcell<\/a><\/strong>, but he should challenge them.<\/p>\n

Waiting until the sixth round to add an edge rusher may be questionable, but Pita Taumoepenu<\/a><\/strong> is an interesting option at the LEO position.\u00a0 He is more of a \u201ctweener,\u201d but could steal some snaps from Eli Harold<\/a><\/strong> and Aaron Lynch<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The last pick was Adrian Colbert<\/a><\/strong>, who can play both safety and corner back.\u00a0 With his blazing speed and size, he seems destined to make the team as a special team\u2019s gunner. Eventually, he may fight his way up the depth chart at corner back.<\/p>\n

The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h3>\n

John Lynch<\/a> may be a rookie general manager, but he moved up and down the draft board like a savvy veteran. The 49ers used their first three picks on defensive players that should have immediate impact.\u00a0 Then, the 49ers got intriguing offensive prospects that Shanahan can fit into his offensive system. It is also important to note that Lynch selected zero players with serious injuries.<\/p>\n

Under the previous regime, general manager Trent Baalke liked to take such \u201cred-shirt\u201d players frequently. A big take away also is Lynch\u2019s moves to add second and third round picks in the 2018 draft. The 49ers will have a plethora of draft capital\u00a0to obtain a quarterback next year. It may be a few years before the 49ers are back to competing for a Super Bowl, but the 49ers are well on the way after this stellar draft class.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n