Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Grading the 2017 NFL Draft class after one full year

By Peter Panacy

Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against D.J. Jones #96 and Tank Carradine #95 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against D.J. Jones #96 and Tank Carradine #95 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Defensive Tackle. Mississippi. D.J. JONES. B-.

The 49ers already had a quality starting nose tackle, Earl Mitchell, when they selected former Mississippi NT D.J. Jones in Round 6.

Jones, a stubby 6-foot-1, 319-pound defender, is still an ideal fit for the nose position in coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense. And while he only saw action in nine games and on 147 snaps, there is enough promise there to suggest he’ll be a worthy contributor down the line.

Jones had just eight tackles on the season and posted a 51.2 overall Pro Football Focus grade. When compared to Mitchell’s 56.5 mark, it’s clear Jones has a bit of a way to go before assuming any starting duties in base defenses.

But at worst, the Niners found themselves a likable backup for the defensive line’s interior.