Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Power ranking the 2018 NFL draftees

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Victor Bolden #17 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Kyle Queiro #41 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Victor Bolden #17 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Kyle Queiro #41 of the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – DECEMBER 03: D.J. Reed #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats returns a kickoff against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – DECEMBER 03: D.J. Reed #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats returns a kickoff against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

4. D.J. Reed

I put to you, has there been a single player right now who has taken more advantage of an opportunity than cornerback D.J. Reed?

When K’Waun Williams went down to an ankle injury, Reed couldn’t step up fast enough.

Niner Noise’s Peter Panacy wrote:

"During one-on-one drills, Reed was locked in on San Francisco slot receiver Trent Taylor. As shown in the play below (h/t KNBR 680’s Brad Almquist), Reed stayed right with his man, forcing a pass out of Taylor’s reach and ultimately preventing the completion. On top of that, Almquist reported Reed was getting the first-team reps in Williams’ absence, which bodes well for the rookie’s roster chances."

Reed was busy against the Cowboys, starting at the nickel corner spot and also rotating in at free safety. He fared well enough, enough that if he was required to start that 49ers fans need not fear him to be a liability.

Reed is taking his opportunity with both hands, and with Williams confirmed out for at least another week, including the second preseason game against the Houston Texans, he has at least one more opportunity coming up.