The 49ers selected defensive back DJ Reed out of Kansas St with the 142nd pick in the NFL Draft.
Welcome to the family, @D7_Reed! #49ersDraft x #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/26Byge1LbK
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 28, 2018
Bio
Reed is another community college success story that played for Bill Snyder at Kansas State. He initially attended Fresno State in 2014, redshirting there after an all-league high school career in Bakersfield, Calif. But he moved on to Cerritos College in 2015 (42 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups) before signing with Snyder for the 2016 season. Reed led the Big 12 and ranked fifth in the FBS with 19 passes defended as a junior (three interceptions, 16 pass breakups). He garnered first-team all-conference recognition from coaches a defensive back and was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He also returned kicks in the team’s final four contests (28.3 yards per his nine attempts). Reed was a first-team All-Big 12 pick in 2017 as both a defensive back (47 tackles, 4.5 for loss, four interceptions, nine pass breakups) and returner (17 returns, 253 yards, 14.9 average, one touchdown on punts; 17 returns, 582 yards, 34.2 average, one touchdown on kickoffs).
Overview
Future slot corner who has the athleticism to handle mirror and match coverage and the toughness to step up and take on tackle responsibilities. Reed lacks size, but not heart. He’s passionate and confident and outplays his height on a consistent basis. Reed’s talent as a return specialist could gain him instant opportunities and his work won’t hurt his cause. Reed has the mental and physical makeup to become a solid pro as both a return man and a sub-package cornerback.
Strengths
Has history of high-end ball production at every stop dating back to high school
Known as a hard worker on field and off
Extremely confident
Plays with a chip on his shoulder in coverage
Feet to shadow and squeeze underneath routes
Fluid hips allow for easy swivels to open or recover
Gets to top gear quickly
Makeup speed to chase down strays
Plays as long as he can
Stretches to disrupt the catch point
Plus timing and hand-eye coordination
Tenacious tackler
Solo tackler who can do his own dirty work
Gifted return specialist
Handles punts and kicks with fearlessness
Has foot quickness to elude tacklers and speed race around the corner
Open field vision like a running back helps him to weave free of danger
Weaknesses
Short cornerback
Lack of ideal size could make him a target down the field
High point challenges against big slots could be tricky
Doesn’t have arm length to keep quarterbacks from making downfield touch throws over his head
Aggression turns to grabbing and tugging on jerseys when backed up near end-zone
Got big-boyed by size near the sideline against Texas Tech
Frequently turned around in coverage
NFL Draft Profile – [NFL.com]
This post first appeared on 49ersNews - San Francisco 49ers News, Opinion, Hig, please read the originial post: here
