Eric Reid Could be 49ers Odd Man Out Due to Impressive Safety Class

The 2017 NFL Draft boasts an impressive and deep safety class, which could leave Eric Reid as the odd man out for the San Franciso 49ers.

In the midst of a rebuild, experience is needed, and a young 49ers team will need to rely on their veterans as they attempt to right the ship under new head coach Kyle Shanahan.

But the new regime has shown little regard for some of the veteran players that were on the team last year, allowing the likes of Glenn Dorsey and Gerald Hodges to walk, while Torrey Smith was released.

With four seasons under his belt, safety Eric Reid is one of more experienced heads on the roster and has in recent times become a leader in the locker room.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

But, heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, Reid is one such player who should feel far from secure about his future with the team.

Reid is entering the final year of his contract and does so having never been able to match the form he displayed in his rookie year, when he had four interceptions and 12 passes defensed.

He ended last season on injured reserve because of a torn biceps injury and has a worrying history of concussions that makes it questionable whether the 49ers will attempt to sign him to a long-term deal.

The 49ers could get off the hook for Reid’s $5.67 million salary in 2017 via a trade, and such a scenario seems a more distinct possibility when you look at the safeties available in the draft.

Ohio State free safety Malik Hooker is considered a top-five pick and certainly has the range to serve as the deep single-high in the Cover 3 defense the Niners are going to run under Robert Saleh.

Washington’s Budda Baker has generated first-round buzz and is blessed with similar athleticism as well as the versatility to play deep, in the box, in the slot and on the outside.

Baker may be a target if the 49ers are able to trade down and pick up some extra picks but, with San Francisco apparently set to transition Jimmie Ward back from corner to safety, per the San Francisco Chronicle, it may be the strong safety position that receives greater focus in the draft.

"“Just being completely honest, we think he’s a good scheme fit for what we’re doing at the free-safety position. But we don’t know that until you put him there. It’s projecting. We think his traits, his skills, translate very well to that, but it’s such an instinct position.” – 49ers GM John Lynch on Jimmie Ward"

Reid would likely move to strong safety should Ward shift from corner. However, there are multiple players available in the strong safety class who the Niners may feel more comfortable with as long-term solutions.

Jamal Adams, from Reid’s alma-mater LSU, is another safety seen as a top-10 pick and figures to be on the 49ers’ radar.

Adams is a tone-setter, who attacks downhill and displays outstanding recognition skills while being able to cover from a variety of positions on the field.

You want a safety who attacks downhill, here's Jamal Adams. Magnificent closing speed. pic.twitter.com/lbBs288eQh
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) January 18, 2017

Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers is a viable option should the Niners move back in the draft and carries the added appeal of being able to make plays on both sides of the ball.

Combine superstar Obi Melifonwu — who is likely to draw unfair comparisons to former Niners second-round pick Taylor Mays — is a perfect fit to play in Cover 3 with his length and athleticism and could be available at the start of the second round.

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NC State’s Josh Jones — who has generated some first-round talk — and Texas A&M’s Justin Evans have also received plenty of buzz, providing further evidence that the 49ers are not going to be short of options at safety in the draft.

That is very good news for Shanahan who, as Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat points out, has said that the defense the Niners will run under Saleh starts with the safeties and corners.

But it may not be good news for Reid. He may only be 25 years old, but it makes more financial sense for the 49ers to invest in a draft pick from a talented class on a rookie pay scale rather than give Reid a new deal.

Next: Reevaluating 49ers Positional Priority List in the NFL Draft

Reid was a key player in the 49ers’ run to the NFC Championship game in the 2013 season and has since grown into a leader in the locker room. But with the talent at his position in the draft, he may find himself an odd man out in the secondary.