The San Francisco 49ers traded up in the 2013 NFL Draft with the Dallas Cowboys receiving the 18th pick while giving up the 31st and 74th pick. Safety Eric Reid got taken.
While the team needed to upgrade at safety Reid was an interesting choice. He’s a hard hitter and has good size and strength. Yet, struggles in coverage and for the most part didn’t show consistency in 2012. He recorded 91 tackles, one tackle for loss, broke up seven passes and intercepted two passes. In 2011 had 76 tackles, three passes broken up, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and two fumbles forced.
He is an upgrade over free agent signee Craig Dahl and will get the chance to start. The issue for Reid is that he isn’t a playmaker as he had only three tackles for loss and involved in six turnovers the past two seasons for Louisiana State Univeristy. Matt Elam and Jonathan Cyprien were available at no.18 and better options.
Safety also wasn’t the biggest need for the 49ers and could have got one in a later round. Defensive end and defensive tackle were bigger needs. Bjoern Werner made sense after trading up as he could learn from the veteran Justin Smith and be his eventual successor.
Grade of the Reid Pick: C