San Francisco 49ers: 2018 NFL Draft grades for Day 3 picks

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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 07: D.J. Reed #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts after Joshua Rowland #49 of the Texas Longhorns missed a field goal in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

D.J. Reed, CB, Kansas State (142nd overall)

The 49ers lacked depth and competition at the cornerback spot in 2017. With their picks in this draft they have guaranteed that will not be the case in 2018. Reed lacks the size the 49ers look for at the cornerback position but has arm length in the region of what they desire at 31 inches.

Recording 25 pass deflections and seven interceptions in just two seasons with Kansas State, Reed proved himself to be a playmaker from the slot and also demonstrated an ability to impact the game in the backfield with 4.5 tackles for loss.

San Francisco has lacked playmakers in the secondary for a while. Ahkello Witherspoon, safety Adrian Colbert and Jaquiski Tartt showed positive flashes last season and Richard Sherman has a history of making an impact from the secondary. Adding another corner with a track record of producing turnovers who provides depth in the slot behind K’Waun Williams is an astute move in the fifth round.

Grade: A