The first round of the 2017 NFL draft is a wrap, and in a few years, we’ll really have a solid idea of how this group turned out. And yet, while it takes several years to fully assess a first round pick, that won’t stop analysts from breaking out the draft grades. We’ll have a broader run-down on Friday, but in the meantime, early returns are strong for the 49ers.
The 49ers selected Solomon Thomas in the first round after trading down from pick No. 2 to pick No. 3. The 49ers and Chicago Bears swapped first round picks, and the 49ers also received the Bears third and fourth round picks this year, along with their third round pick in 2018. We’ve got early grades from SB Nation’s Dan Kadar and CBS Sports columnist Pete Prisco. The trade was a big boost for the grade, but they both recognized the 49ers got the guy they had been targeting.
SB Nation: A+ “This is the pick the 49ers were long-expected to make and not only did they get it, extra picks were thrown in to make it happen. Suffice to say, this grade is partly due to what the 49ers were able to get out of the Bears for the second overall pick. It was a strong play by first-year general manager John Lynch to get extra picks in third and fourth rounds this year and a 2018 pick. Thomas is going to boost San Francisco’s run and pass game thanks to his power playing style and versatility.
CBS Sports (Prisco): A+ “John Lynch is off to a great start in his first draft. Fleeced the Bears and got his guy. Love this move.”
The 49ers acquired a fourth round pick and two third round picks in the trade with the Bears to move down one spot. They turned around and used the fourth round pick to move up from No. 34 to No. 31, where they then drafted Reuben Foster. Kadar again gave the 49ers an A+, while Prisco went with an A.
SB Nation: A+ “At some point in the draft process this was the pick for San Francisco. At No. 2 overall. To jump back into the first round and get Foster is a stroke of brilliance by Lynch. That, of course, is assuming that Foster’s injuries don’t hold him back. If they don’t, the 49ers just got a 100-tackle linebacker who can be the leader of the defense almost immediately.”
CBS Sports (Prisco): A “He has a Ray Lewis-type of game. Love this pick. Top-10 talent.”
Time for your grades only a few hours removed from the first round! Vote below so we have something to look back on two or three years from now to either pump our fist that we got it right, or laugh in derision.
Poll
How would you grade the 49ers day 1 in the 2017 NFL draft?
This poll is closed
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68%
A+
(2986 votes) -
24%
A
(1050 votes) -
4%
A-
(178 votes) -
1%
B+
(71 votes) -
0%
B
(24 votes) -
0%
B-
(11 votes) -
0%
C+
(2 votes) -
0%
C
(3 votes) -
0%
C-
(3 votes) -
0%
D+
(2 votes) -
0%
D
(1 vote) -
0%
D-
(1 vote) -
0%
F
(21 votes)