49ers’ 2019 ‘Who Is?’ series: Defensive back D.J. Reed

The San Francisco 49ers received some decent production from then-rookie D.J. Reed in 2018, especially when he moved to nickel cornerback. What does 2019 hold for the second-year defensive back?

In an ideal world, San Francisco 49ers defensive back D.J. Reed winds up developing to the point where he can eventually be a long-term replacement for the team’s veteran nickel cornerback, K’waun Williams.

There were glimpses of this possibility during Reed’s rookie season a year ago, as he ended up starting in place of Williams late in 2018.

Reed didn’t disappoint either, even registering a strip-sack fumble against quarterback Case Keenum and the Denver Broncos in Week 14.

The Niners tried getting Reed some reps at free safety earlier in the season. But San Francisco’s fifth-round NFL Draft pick out of Kansas State mostly struggled in that capacity. And he also had ball-security issues on special teams, too, fumbling twice on his 11 kick-return attempts.

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/25/2019.

Reed eventually finished his rookie season with a 66.5 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus. In contrast, PFF graded Williams only slightly higher, coming in at 66.7 on the year.

Yet the sample size couldn’t be any more different, which lends to the idea a training camp competition for the starting nickel job should be pretty provocative.

Why D.J. Reed Improves in 2019

The 49ers wanted to increase Reed’s versatility — always a good thing for a backup — by giving him reps at safety.

Those didn’t exactly work out, although it’s fair to state none of the Niners’ attempts to solve their safety issues were totally successful in 2018. But if Reed stays at his natural position, nickel cornerback, it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see his efforts increase.

Reed flashed some strong run-stopping abilities out of the slot last year, and those should continue to get better. If he can work on his coverage skills, which weren’t always great, Reed should be much more rounded a player.

That’ll be his focal point during training camp.

Why D.J. Reed Regresses

At 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, Reed already comes in with a disadvantage when opposing teams go big out of the slot. Williams, who is also 5-foot-9, has a knack for playing bigger than his size would indicate.

Reed has yet to establish himself with such a pedigree.

Questionable long speed could also keep Reed from returning to a free safety role, thereby limiting him to nickel duties only. And remember those fumbles? Well, they cost him kick-return duties early in the year, cutting into what would have been a vital asset to his future with the squad.

If those trends continue into the preseason, the Niners essentially have just a backup nickel corner with some starting potential.

Projected Role with the 49ers in 2019

It’s hard to consider Reed a true lock to make San Francisco’s 53-man roster this season, although he’s easily on the stronger side of the bubble heading into training camp.

Ultimately, Reed’s future will hinge on how well he handles the competition with Williams, who likely has the starting job at nickel cornerback locked down. For now, at least. But that brief starting stint last season suggested Reed could be a long-term option, which is what the Niners would want to see happen.

Williams is, after all, signed only through 2020 and could be a cap casualty after this season.

It’s possible, too, Reed reasserts himself as a viable return guy out of training camp. He’ll have some work to do there, but there was plenty of explosiveness on returns from his college tape.

In all likelihood, though, Reed starts 2019 as the 49ers’ primary nickel backup to Williams, potentially serving as a reserve safety, too, if needed.

But a strong campaign throughout the regular season could change that a little less than a year from now.