With the fifth selection of the third round (68th overall), the San Francisco 49ers selected Mississippi State CB Will Redmond. 49ers general manager Trent Baalke's tradition of drafting injured players continues with this selection. Redmond suffered an ACL tear during practice on October 22. According to one scouting report, the injury put Redmond's 2016 season "in limbo." However, when speaking to reporters following being drafted, Redmond stated, "I expect to play in 2016."
Included in scouting report on Redmond: "ACL tear in 2015 puts 2016 in limbo."
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 30, 2016
Redmond stated that his medical recheck in Indianapolis went well. His ACL surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews. 49ers general manager said that he is comfortable that Redmond will be ready in time for the team's training camp in late July. Baalke stated that he envisions Redmond as a nickel back on the 49ers' defense.
Redmond had 94 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, five interceptions, and eight passes defended during his college career at Mississippi State. During his junior year in 2014, his last full season, he had 51 tackles with three for a loss, three interceptions, and five passes defended.
#49ers Will Redmond: "I expect to play in 2016."
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) April 30, 2016
Redmond told reported that he was one of the 49ers' 30 allowed visitors to the team's headquarters in Santa Clara.
NFL.com projected that Redmond would be selected in rounds 3 or 4 of the NFL Draft.
Analysis
Daniel Jeremiah had the following to say about Redmond in his instant analysis:
If healthy, he could have snuck into the back end of the first round. He has a big-time burst, but was unable to put a time down on paper due to injury.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Media, who compares Redmond to Kyle Arrington, had the following to say in his scouting report:
Redmond's quickness, feet and man cover ability will be intriguing to NFL evaluators, but his lack of game experience on the college level and a return from an ACL tear could weigh heavily on a team's willingness to spend an early round pick on him. His ceiling is NFL starter, but his floor is obviously low.
DraftInsider.net had the following to say about Redmond in their scouting report:
Redmond was highly rated entering the season and was playing solid football before his knee injury. He's rough around the edges in all aspects of his game and is a prospect with a high upside as well as a bit of downside risk.
Pro Football Focus had the following to say about Redmond:
In the midst of injury row, Will Redmond saw his final season torpedoed by injury after seven games when he tore his ACL. By that point he had allowed just one touchdown and a passer rating of only 41.0 when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. Through seven games he had allowed only 11 catches, and had three games where he didn't allow a single reception. He has an exceptionally quick break on the ball, often on the move before the QB even throws the ball, opening himself up to the danger of double moves, but he has impressive upside if he can return 100 percent.
Measurables
Height: 5-11
Weight: 182 lbs.
Arm length: 30 3/8 inches
Hand length: 9 1/8 inches