With the 142nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Kansas State cornerback D.J. Reed.
Reed played two seasons for the Wildcats and tallied 125 total tackles and seven interceptions. He led the Big 12 in 2016 with 19 passes defended and was named the conference's newcomer of the year as a transfer from Cerritos College. Reed was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2017. At 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, Reed isn't as tall as most prototype cornerbacks in the 49ers system, but he still has plenty of length with nearly 32-inch arms. He's also got plenty of speed, running a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Daniel Jeremiah said on NFL Network's broadcast that Reed will have value in the return game as he averaged more than 34 yards per kick return in 2017.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein says Reed's strengths include his work ethic, fluid hips and acceleration. Zierlein projects him to be a slot corner in the NFL.
