Niner Noise
FanSided

Redrafting the San Francisco 49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft class

By Peter Panacy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Greg Stroman #37 of the Washington Redskins defends Josh Hawkins #48 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Greg Stroman #37 of the Washington Redskins defends Josh Hawkins #48 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Round 7, Pick No. 223 Overall: Cornerback Greg Stroman

Original Pick: Defensive Tackle Jullian Taylor

Rookie defensive tackle Jullian Taylor had an impressive preseason, yes. But he was mostly an afterthought once the regular season rolled around. And with the 49ers already grabbing Maurice Hurst in this redraft, arguably the team’s deepest position, reinforcing other areas of needs seems the better way to go.

Enter cornerback Greg Stroman out of Virginia Tech who, at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, would have occupied the void left by San Francisco’s non-drafting of D.J. Reed.

More from SF 49ers Draft

Stroman performed well for the Washington Redskins his rookie year, picking up an interception and four passes defended.

No Niners cornerback had an interception in 2018.

Round 7, Pick No. 240 Overall: Wide Receiver Richie James

Original Pick: Wide Receiver Richie James

Finally, another pick with no changes (that makes this job easier).

Wide receiver Richie James was certainly impressive in his rookie training camp, commendable after being the 49ers’ final pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. James also has explosiveness and speed his other slot wide receiver, Trent Taylor, lacks. And that should be something to watch heading into 2019.

That explosiveness was on full display on special teams, too, where James ended up having a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Seahawks in Week 15.

Next. 49ers' 15 best first-round NFL Draft picks of all time. dark

James could easily be in position to assume a starting slot role in 2019, which makes this seventh-round addition for San Francisco the right one.