Niner Noise goes back in time and looks at how one of our former writers graded the San Francisco 49ers efforts in Rounds 1 through 5 of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Editor’s note: This is a republishing of a Niner Noise piece from Eric Melendez, initially published during the 2013 NFL Draft. Check out how we graded the 49ers’ efforts in what turned out to be a major “bust” of a class.
The 2013 NFL Draft saw the San Francisco 49ers select 11 players this past weekend, bolstering their roster on both offense and defense for the upcoming season.
In the draft, 49ers general manger Trent Baalke showed his skills in evaluating players and why he leads one of the best front offices in the league. All of the players drafted by the 49ers were not a reach, but filled a specific need on the team.
San Francisco 49ers
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Before the draft, the 49ers already had a stacked roster, with few needs to address. And the positions they had holes at, like in the secondary, were filled in the draft with quality players who could contribute in the upcoming season, one way or another.
Baalke made three total trades in the NFL Draft, which allowed him to move up to select players like safety Eric Reid.
Reid will likely be the starting free safety in Week 1, which lessons the impact of letting former Niners safety Dahson Goldson sign elsewhere. Cleary, Baalke had a plan to draft one of the top safeties available in the draft and wanted to go younger in the secondary. This explains letting Goldson walk and the non-signing of former Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson, who visited the team last month.
Not only did the 49ers fill important needs, but they also drafted players in rounds that were a steal. Case in point was No. 40 overall draft pick, DE Tank Carradine, and No. 128 overall draft pick, WR Quinton Patton.
Both players were expected to go sooner in the draft but fell into the Niners’ lap.
The 49ers received an overall draft grade of a B+ because they filled important needs on the roster. They would have received an A grade had they selected a cornerback sooner in the draft, rather than in the seventh round with the No. 252 overall pick.
Below are links to each player drafted by the Niners in Rounds 1 through 5 with a grade of the pick, a scouting report and the player’s college highlight video.
First Round
Second Round
Defensive End Cornellius “Tank” Carradine from Florida State
Tight end Vance McDonald from Rice
Third Round
Defensive end/outside linebacker Corey Lemonier from Auburn
Fourth Round
Wide receiver Quinton Patton from Louisiana Tech
Running back Marcus Lattimore from South Carolina
Fifth Round
Defensive end Quinton Dial from Alabama
Next: Redrafting the 49ers' horrible 2013 NFL Draft
We hope you enjoyed this look back at San Francisco’s efforts and how many fans felt that year’s class was a good one.