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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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a catch at the seven yard line of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a catch at the seven yard line of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Original Pick: Trent Taylor

San Francisco appeared to hit a couple of home runs in Round 5 of the draft, the first being with George Kittle and the second being wide receiver Trent Taylor, who was one of college football’s biggest standouts from 2016.

This was the pick acquired from the Denver Broncos, which was also involved in the move for C.J. Beathard (Broncos, 49ers and Minnesota Vikings), so maybe the revisionist trade gods have to get a bit creative here and speculate another deal between San Francisco and Denver.

Either way, Taylor remains the pick.

Sure, a back injury limited Taylor’s 2018 production to a mere 215 receiving yards and a touchdown. But one can’t overlook his solid rookie campaign, in which he recorded 19 third-down grabs for a first down — tied for ninth in the NFL that year and also tied for first among rookie pass catchers.

If Taylor reverts back to that form in 2019, this pick will remain a solid one.