Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Regrading Each Niners’ NFL Draft Class from the Last 10 Years

By Peter Panacy

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 12
Next
August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2013 NFL Draft

Round 1 – Eric Reid, S
Round 2 – Tank Carradine, DE
Round 2 – Vance McDonald, TE
Round 3 – Corey Lemonier, LB
Round 4 – Quinton Patton, WR
Round 4 – Marcus Lattimore, RB
Round 5 – Quinton Dial, DT
Round 6 – Nick Moody, LB
Round 7 – B.J. Daniels, QB
Round 7 – Carter Bykowski, T
Round 7 – Marcus Cooper, DB

Coming off a loss in Super Bowl XLVII, the 49ers were set to have a mammoth draft class as general manager Trent Baalke worked his ways to stockpile picks.

One of those, a Round 3 selection, was used to move up and grab LSU safety Eric Reid 18th overall. Reid would become a starter and was named to the Pro Bowl his rookie season.

But Baalke’s subsequent selections warrant a lot of problems. While heralded in college, defensive end Tank Carradine hasn’t panned out with the 49ers as envisioned. Tight end Vance McDonald, despite some moments in 2015, looks like a bust. And linebacker Corey Lemonier, whom the 49ers trade up to get, has also been an utter disappointment.

Running back Marcus Lattimore, who was drafted low while recovering from a gruesome collegiate kne injury, retired before seeing the playing field.

Wide receiver Quinton Patton could still make an impact, and defensive tackle Quinton Dial has turned into a solid piece of the Niners defensive line.

Best Pick: Eric Reid

Dial may be the hidden gem from the draft, but Reid owns a Pro Bowl nod. While his play might have slipped a bit from his rookie season, and injury concerns remain, Reid still remains a worthy component on the San Francisco defense.

Worst Pick: Vance McDonald

McDonald was supposed to be the complementary piece, and potential long-term replacement, for veteran tight end Vernon Davis — at least the type of tight end the 49ers lost when Delanie Walker departed via free agency.

Yet McDonald’s pro career has been plagued by injuries and drops — certainly not worthy of his Round 2 selection.

Grade: D

Next: 2014 NFL Draft