Niner Noise
FanSided

Redrafting the 49ers’ 2017 NFL Draft class two years later

By Peter Panacy

Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Ryan Ramczyk #71 of the New Orleans Saints runs onto the field during prior to a a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Ryan Ramczyk #71 of the New Orleans Saints runs onto the field during prior to a a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Original Pick: Reuben Foster

One of the picks the 49ers netted in their trade down with the Bears was used to move back up into Round 1, where John Lynch grabbed Reuben Foster.

Lynch and the Niners knew they were taking a risk with Foster, both with his injury history and off-field concerns. The gamble eventually burned San Francisco, and Foster was off the team by the end of November 2018.

In this do-over scenario, however, the 49ers spark the rebuild by building within the trenches, trading up to No. 31 still, but grabbing Wisconsin offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk.

Like LSU with defensive backs, Wisconsin has a nice history of producing top-tier offensive linemen. Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, the Niners were looking hard at their offensive line, which was ranked 28th by Pro Football Focus the previous year.

Sure, the team was carrying offensive tackles Joe Staley and Trent Brown, and it would grab Mike McGlinchey with its first pick a year later.

Yet Ramczyk, who ended up with the New Orleans Saints a pick later, could have started off his career on the inside, eventually working out to a starting tackle spot, either alleviating the need to grab McGlinchey or, at least, serving as a long-term replacement for the aging veteran, Staley.