Niner Noise
FanSided

Regrading the 49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft class after one year

By Peter Panacy

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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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos fumbles the ball after a hit by D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos fumbles the ball after a hit by D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Defensive Back. Kansas State. D.J. REED. C+.

There’s a lot to like with the 49ers’ Round 5 selection of former Kansas State defensive back D.J. Reed.

For starters, Reed displayed the versatility to play either as a free safety or nickel cornerback — jobs he held at different points during his rookie season. Additionally, Reed is a special teams contributor, which also worked its way into his 2018 usage.

Yet the overall results were a mixed bag. On special teams, Reed fumbled twice and essentially lost return duties late in the season.

At safety, Reed struggled and never seemed to grasp the nuances of the position before eventually being switched back to a nickel role. In that stead, however, Reed showed some serious prowess backing up the veteran, K’Waun Williams, when the latter was injured.

Reed even posted a sack and forced a fumble in this role.

Overall, Pro Football Focus graded Williams and Reed with 66.7 and 66.5 overall grades in 2018, respectively.

While this alone won’t give Reed an edge for the starting nickel job this season, it at least suggests he can be a viable backup and potential long-term replacement for Williams.