The 2018 49ers could be the most hyped up squad the franchise has had in recent memory. A five-game winning streak with a talented new quarterback to end the previous season will do that. If you hope to get a large dose of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, or other new key pieces like running back Jerick McKinnon and cornerback Richard Sherman, don't hold your breath. Sherman wont play on Thursday due to a hamstring injury and I'd bet on the starters only getting a series or two of action.
Welcome to the preseason, where the excitement is there for about four plays. However, any hardcore fan knows it doesn't end there. The 49ers 2018 draft class will get a bulk of the work against the Cowboys. Of course everyone wants to watch top selections, tackle Mike McGlinchey, wide receiver Dante Pettis and linebacker Fred Warner.
But what about the players on the field when all the "stars" are on the sideline? The 49ers hit on fifth-round picks in tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Trent Taylor and seventh-round safety Adrian Colbert in 2017. Can they repeat that magic in 2018? Here are three 2018 late round draft selections who you should keep a close eye on during Thursday's match up:
5th-round selection: CB D.J. Reed, Kansas State
Reed certainly has been showing traits of a player who was drafted too low and on Thursday has a chance to show everyone that the 49ers have something special. Keep an eye on #40.
7th-round selection: Defensive Tackle Jullian Taylor, Temple
Some pretty big words from the team's best defensive player. Taylor is one for whom to watch.
7th-round selection: WR Richie James, Middle Tennessee State
You can see above that his traits are that of someone drafted much higher than the seventh-round. James will also provide value in the special teams department as a returner. Thursday will be a great chance to see if he can put it all together on the field at NFL speed. If he can continue to be impressive, then the 49ers may have struck gold in the seventh-round for the second straight year.
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