This offseason has seen the San Francisco 49ers exercise Eric Reid's fifth year option, and sign Quinton Dial to a three-year contract extension. Given what we've seen from the 49ers 2013 draft class, that pretty much covers all the positives from the 2013 NFL Draft. Now that we're three full seasons removed from the class, that means re-grading is under way. Some people might wait a year or two more, but there is plenty to take from that class at this point.
Sports Illustrated has decided to do some re-grading. Back in 2013, Chris Burke handed out grades shortly after the draft concluded. On Thursday, Greg Bedard went back in to re-grade all the drafts. First up, here is the 49ers 2013 class (Mike Purcell is the only UDFA still around from that offseason):
1(18). Eric Reid, S, LSU
2(40). Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
2(55). Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
3(88). Corey Lemonier, OLB, Auburn
4(128). Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
4(131). Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
5(157). Quinton Dial, DL, Alabama
6(180). Nick Moody, LB, Florida State
7(237). B.J. Daniels, QB, South Florida
7(246). Carter Bykowski, OT, Iowa State
7(252). Marcus Cooper, DB, Rutgers
Back in 2013, Chris Burke had strong things to say about the 49ers draft class. He gave them an A, thinking it was an embarrassment of riches:
This got kind of silly for a while. The 49ers traded up for S Eric Reid, who should replace Dashon Goldson. Then, they stole DE Tank Carradine at 40, TE Vance McDonald at 55 and WR Quinton Patton at 128. In between those picks, San Francisco also added quick DE/OLB Corey Lemonier and RB Marcus Lattimore, the latter of whom could be a star if his rehab from a catastrophic knee injury works out.
Three years later, they went from one of three A grades to one of five teams to get an F. If it makes you feel better, the Seahawks were given an F-. In looking at the 49ers, he said the team's best pick was Quinton Dial, and worst pick was Marcus Lattimore. He had this to say about the picks:
Reid and Dial have become good players, but that's all Baalke has to show for out of this 11-person draft class.
I would actually contend that Tank Carradine qualifies as the worst pick, with Vance McDonald in the discussion. Lattimore came into the league with a major knee injury, and the pick was based on, we'll see if he can come back from the injury. Had they spent a first or second round pick, I could see listing it as the worst pick. But they spent a fourth round comp pick. I find it hard to say that is the worst pick given some of the names ahead of Lattimore.
McDonald has made some modest impact, while Tank has struggled to get worked into a role. McDonald has dealt with drops throughout his career. He is the team's No. 1 tight end at this point, but who knows what this year will bring for him. I would be surprised if he got a second contract with the 49ers.
The team thought they could bulk up Tank, but now realize they need to slim him down, so blame goes in large part to the front office and coaching staff. He is playing outside linebacker this offseason, having slimmed down to some extent. Given that he is entering a contract year, it is going to be interesting to see if he puts together some decent numbers or if he is going to wash out of the league.
Other than Reid and Dial, I don't expect to see much of this class on the roster in 2017. Quinton Patton and Corey Lemonier are the only other players from that group to make much in the way of an impact. Lemonier is likely looking at no more than a journeyman career, and Patton has struggled to get on track. Patton has a decent opportunity this season with Anquan Boldin likely out of the picture, but I would be surprised to see him back in 2017.