San Francisco 49ers: Regrading 2017 NFL Draft class

Round 7: 49ers Defensive Back Adrian Colbert

Considering Adrian Colbert’s abbreviated time with the 49ers, some may question why he received a B-minus grade here.

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Again, there aren’t a lot of expectations for seventh-round draft picks, yet Colbert exceeded those right away his rookie season, taking over starting duties at free safety and showing all the signs of being a true impact player for many years to come. Anyone who watched his sideline-to-sideline hard-hitting convergence against the Houston Texans or New York Giants that year can attest to the level of promise Colbert showcased.

And for the latter half of his rookie season, Colbert was looking like he’d be a star.

Yet things didn’t change for the better in 2018, as the former Miami defensive back suffered a clear regression and was often out of position more than he was making key plays. A high-ankle sprain midway through the year sidelined him for the rest of the season, and he ultimately wasn’t able to crack San Francisco’s 53-man roster entering 2019.

It was a classic “what could have been” case for the seventh-round draftee, but it’s impossible to overlook the quality production Colbert provided to the Niners during his rookie year.