Redrafting the 49ers’ 2017 NFL Draft class two years later
By Peter Panacy
Original Pick: Solomon Thomas
In this redraft, the 49ers are still able to trade down with the Bears. It made sense to do so. After all, the Niners were in the opening phases of an all-out rebuild, and the added picks would help.
San Francisco 49ers
But instead of grabbing Solomon Thomas, who has been relegated to a rotational player after two underwhelming years at the pro level, San Francisco reinforces its secondary by grabbing LSU safety Jamal Adams.
Adams at No. 3 might have been a bit of a reach, yet the defensive backfield crop of prospects in 2017 was considered pretty deep, particularly at the top. Given LSU’s track record of producing top-tier NFL talent, it wouldn’t have been a bad move.
Especially considering Pro Football Focus ranked the 49ers secondary dead last in 2018.
Instead, the New York Jets ended up grabbing Adams at No. 6 overall, and he’s got a Pro Bowl nod under his belt.
OK, sure. Maybe the Niners should have grabbed now-Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. But hindsight also gives the knowledge quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is coming to San Francisco later in the year, so let’s pass on that move.