2013 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Draft Grade
By Blake Meek
Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Eric Reid (LSU) holds daughter LeiLani Reid as he is introduced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as the number eighteen overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
1st Round 18th Overall — Eric Reid S, LSU — B
Had the 49ers been able to grab him at 31, then this would be an A. Reid was great in 2011 and was being talked about as a top 10 pick. He didn’t have as good a year this past year. Many question his coverage ability down the field.
2nd Round 40th Overall — Tank Carradine DE/OLB, Florida State — A
If Carradine can come back and be 100% he could be the eventual replacement for Justin Smith. He is a strong athletic player who can pass rush from the DE position and give them depth in case Smith gets hurt again.
2nd Round 55th Overall — Vance McDonald TE, Rice — B+
This pick really helps the 9ers keep doing what they like to do with the 2 tight end sets. The majority of his time at Rice was spent in the slot, so he doesn’t have much blocking experience. Is a big, strong, athletic guy.
3rd Round 88th Overall — Corey Lemonier OLB, Auburn — A-
Lemonier is a talented pass rusher who gives them depth at the OLB position. Lemonier has the talent to have been a late 1st/early second round pick, so this is a great value for the 9ers.
4th Round 128th Overall — Quinton Patton WR, Louisiana Tech — A
Another absolute steal for the 9ers. Patton is a polished receiver who can come in and start from day 1. He blocks well, has good hands and runs great routes. Was once being talked about being picked in the late 1st.
4th Round 131st Overall — Marcus Lattimore RB, South Carolina — A+
If Lattimore comes back and can be 100% this is the steal of the draft. He was the consensus #1 running back in the class and can do it all. He doesn’t have elite speed, but is great in every other facet. Couldn’t have landed in a better spot.
5th Round 157th Overall — Quinton Dial DE, Alabama — B
The 9ers needed depth on the defensive line so they took a 2nd guy there. Dial is very good against the rush, which is what the 49ers will need him to do.
6th Round 180th Overall — Nick Moody LB, Florida State — C+
I guess the 9ers decided to pick for some depth here with Moody. He played outside at Florida State, but will probably move inside and back up Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman.
7th Round 237th Overall — B.J. Daniels QB, South Florida — F
How a team could take B.J. Daniels with all of the quarterbacks left on the board is beyond me. If they wanted a running QB they should have taken Matt Scott who is a far superior prospect.
7th Round 246th Overall — Carter Bykowski OT, Iowa St. — B-
Played tight end when he first came to college. Gives the 49ers depth at the tackle position.
7th Round 252nd Overall — Marcus Cooper CB, Rutgers — B-
A tall, athletic CB who has some potential. I thought the 9ers might go corner earlier, but they felt they had other draft picks they wanted.
Overall — A-
The 49ers made a lot of really good picks and took some really good values even though they might not be the most pressing needs. Patton, Lattimore and Lemonier were all really good values at the point they were taken. I didn’t like trading up for Reid when I thought an equally talented player would be there at the safety position at 31, but they didn’t give up much so it wasn’t a killer. They can red-shirt Carradine and Lattimore if they want to and get them 100% for 2014.
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