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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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Deatrich Wise, Jr. #91 of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Deatrich Wise, Jr. #91 of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Original Pick: Joe Williams

Ah, yes. The first admitted mistake by the 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Kyle Shanahan wanted running back Joe Williams. John Lynch didn’t, yet eventually caved and made the selection at No. 121 overall.

Williams ended up on injured reserve his rookie season, due to an ankle injury. But he also dealt with ball-security issues during training camp and the preseason. When 2018 roster cuts were made a year later, Williams was jettisoned.

So much for that.

There’s an old adage in NFL ranks, which suggests teams can never have too many pass-rushers. Even though the Niners already grabbed one here in Carl Lawson, they get another versatile up-front defender in Arkansas’ Deatrich Wise Jr., who eventually went No. 131 overall to the New England Patriots.

Simply put, the gaffe on Williams and Wise’s 9.5 sacks in the two years since makes San Francisco’s initial move hurt a lot.