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Crazy Moments from the San Francisco 49ers Draft

By Kelsey Ross

Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers draft left heads spinning. Questions echo throughout the NFL: how did they pull it off? They made what trade? And it worked?

It was intense, edge-of-your-seat drama that left the San Francisco 49ers’ faithful raising their hands in the air saying “finally”. It is the kind of excitement that fans have been asking and longing for, because the 49ers came away with a handful of guys who show real talent. Many of them could be starting come season.

Now, this isn’t to comment on the draft grade for the 49ers, since nobody knows who is going to be a bust or a breakout star in the NFL, but rather to marvel at the mayhem that was the 49ers’ 2017 draft.

To illuminate the right off the bat craziness, understand this: the 49ers found themselves involved in six trades throughout the draft. Only the Vikings saw more trade action with seven negotiations. It seems the 49ers’ front office was ready to make moves for the guys they wanted, and gutsy moves at that.

The night started off wild. They traded away their first round, second-overall pick in a heist of a deal. In return they got the third-overall pick, a third- and fourth-round pick this year, and a third-round pick in 2018.

Except for a few, many thought that meant they had traded their opportunity to pick up Solomon Thomas. They surely had another player’s name ready for when the Bears announced Thomas as their pick. When “Trubisky” flashed across the screen there was shock. General manager John Lynch and his gang had just pulled off a robbery and couldn’t get to the phone fast enough to call Thomas.

But if the Bears picked Thomas, who would the 49ers have taken? It was Reuben Foster, Kyle Shanahan’s favorite player in the draft. The team was absolutely willing to take him with their first pick, and they got him with the 31st pick in the draft, after yes, another trade, with the Seahawks.

Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

But the craziness doesn’t even begin to slow down there. Time almost expired as they were waiting for that deal to go through with the Seahawks for that 31st pick. The New Orleans Saints, who had the 32nd pick, called Foster to welcome him to their team before the Niners got on the phone. It took Lynch a couple of minutes to explain to the stunned Foster that he would be coming to San Francisco.

The 49ers walked away from the first night of the draft with arguably two top-five draft picks. How’s that for excitement? And that was just day one.

After picking up Colorado cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, the drama ramped back up. Another trade came through, this time to pick up reportedly the only quarterback that Shanahan would even give thought to: C.J. Beathard.

Many scratched their heads at this pick. They traded up to get who? Other QB’s on experts board ranked well above Beathard, but Shanahan had made his choice.

And then there was the Joe Williams pick. He wasn’t even on the 49er’s draft board for running backs, was kicked off UConn’s team, quit Utah’s team only to return later that year, making his resume less-than-appealing. Lynch admits that Williams wasn’t even on his radar. But Shanahan was adamant that he needed to give this kid another look.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Lynch, Shanahan Charting Bold, Aggressive New Direction

Reluctantly, Lynch made that call to Williams that ended up being one of the best, and most heart-wrenching, stories to come out of the draft. Williams opened up about his guilt over the death of his sister that led to him to quit that Utah team and how he had finally forgiven himself. Lynch was stunned at how Williams spoke about his past and his absolute dedication to the game moving forward. He was sold, so much so that he traded up to nab him.

After Williams, the draft settled down somewhat for the Niners. They picked up tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Trent Taylor, defensive tackle D.J. Jones, linebacker Pita Taumoepenu, and cornerback Adrian Colbert, adding to the five above.

Those first four rounds of the draft were filled with emotion, nerves, chaos, but excitement rang through the air. What a marked change from the last couple of years. Who knows how these picks will play out, but the faithful finally have some enthusiasm in their voices as season approaches.