Before you overreact to this, we'd like to let you know that this is actually a positive note on the San Francisco 49ers' draft. How so? Read on.
Pro Football Focus released a list of the best and worst draft selections for each of the 32 NFL teams. It was pretty obvious to predict which player the analytics site would deem as the best for San Francisco. PFF was admittedly obsessed with Oregon DE DeForest Buckner leading to the draft and they predictably made him the 49ers' best selection. They ranked him first among his position and second overall going into the draft.
So who did they list as the 49ers' worst selection? None other than Mississippi State CB Will Redmond, who is coming off of an injury. However, that doesn't mean that they did not like the pick. They just picked him as the worst – perhaps because they had to pick someone. Here is what PFF had to say about the selection.
We had a fourth-round grade on Redmond and he went in the third. There wasn't much to complain about San Francisco's 2016 draft from a value standpoint.
So they didn't really mind where he was selected and felt that the 49ers had a good draft when it came to value. Draft grades from various sources on the Redmond selection ranged from a strong B+ to an average C. That's not bad if he is the team's worst selection, especially considering his injury.
RELATED Round 3, Pick 5: 49ers select Mississippi State CB Will Redmond
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."
49ers general manager Trent Baalke believes that the cornerback will be ready for training camp when it begins in late July, so it is entirely possible that we see Redmond on the field in 2016. Baalke stated that he envisions Redmond as a nickel back on the 49ers' defense.
Following the draft, Steve Palazzolo of PFF had the following to say about the Redmond selection while giving the 49ers draft a B+ grade.
Redmond is a solid zone defender who is quick to read and break on the ball, although that aggressiveness can get him into trouble at times. His +1.6 coverage grade ranked No. 56 in the class.
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.
