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San Francisco 49ers: How the 2018 NFL Draft should have gone

By Jeremy Wohlfart

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 31: Kentavius Street #35 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack tackles Charone Peake #19 of the Clemson Tigers during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 31, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 31: Kentavius Street #35 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack tackles Charone Peake #19 of the Clemson Tigers during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 31, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Day 3:

49ers select: Kentavius Street, Defensive End, N.C. State (Pick No. 128)

Re-draft selection: Maurice Hurst, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, Michigan (selected at Pick No. 140)

A lot of people called Kentavius Street a Trent Baalke-esque selection on the part of John Lynch, after the N.C. State defender tore his ACL in early April and will need to be essentially medically redshirted his rookie year.

While I don’t believe I would pick such a player in Round 4, I  won’t make too big a deal on a day-three selection.

More from SF 49ers Draft

But if the 49ers were going to take a shot at a boom-or-bust prospect, how about an elite-level talent who could play in Week 1?

Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst was once a player, who was going to be picked as high as the first round, but serious concerns knocked Hurst down hard on draft boards. A medical red flag on his heart shocked everybody, as well as concerns about his size pushed him way down into day three.

I don’t care about his size, the kid can play football. Day three would be a perfect time to bet on him, because not many care if a day-three prospect busts.

I totally disagree with the NFL executive who blasted the Oakland Raiders as “irresponsible” for drafting Hurst as well. Hurst is an adult, who can make his own decisions. And as long as he is fully aware of the consequences (which can be fatal), then he’s perfectly entitled to play and the Raiders (or 49ers, in this hypothetical) are perfectly entitled to draft and play him.

49ers select: D.J. Reed, Cornerback, Kansas State (Pick No. 142)

Re-draft selection: D.J. Reed, Cornerback, Kansas State

I think this is a fine selection here. D.J. Reed was the second most prolific punt returner in college football last season (behind Dante Pettis, whom you may recall the 49ers also drafted) and projects to be a nickel corner in the NFL, where K’Waun Williams could use some competition.

I really don’t have much to add except, for the fifth round, it’s hard to single out a much better prospect.