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San Francisco 49ers: Biggest Winners & Losers from the 2017 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) reacts after beating the Chicago Bears 26-20 in overtime at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) reacts after beating the Chicago Bears 26-20 in overtime at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Safety Eric Reid

Prior to the NFL Draft, one of the more talked-about 49ers needs was in the secondary, primarily at safety.

Armed with the second overall pick, the Niners could have easily landed Ohio State free safety Malik Hooker or LSU strong safety Jamal Adams.

Either move, or even one in later rounds, could have made veteran safety Eric Reid an excess commodity — a notion pointed out by Niner Noise’s Nicholas McGee earlier this offseason.

Related Story: Eric Reid Could Be Odd Man Out for 49ers with Impressive Safety Class

As it turned out, the Niners didn’t draft any safety through all seven rounds. The only safety added was former St. Francis (PA) safety Lorenzo Jerome as an undrafted free agent. And he’ll be a long shot to make the 53-man roster.

Reid, who has fallen off a bit since his rookie 2013 season, will move down into the box as strong safety under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Reid also enters a contract year this season, adding to the motivation.

So while it’s hard to speculate about Reid’s future beyond 2017, at least he can take comfort knowing his starting job is all but safe in the immediate picture.