2018 NFL Draft: Kansas State’s D.J. Reed selected in fifth round by the 49ers

There was little doubt that D.J. Reed would cause Kansas State to continue their Big 12-leading streak of consecutive years having a player selected in the NFL Draft. The only questions were when he’d be selected and where he’d be going.

Now we know: in the fifth round and to the San Francisco 49ers. With the selection, K-State has now had a player’s name called 25 years in a row.

The 49ers were one of the teams which had been linked to Reed before the draft, so his ultimate destination was no surprise. What is a bit of a surprise is that, at present, the 49ers have no real need for a kick returner — the position at which most folks tended to think Reed would have the most value on draft day.

Instead, Reed is actually expected to compete for immediate playing time at slot corner, as Jimmie Ward will be moving over to fill a Richard Sherman sized hole on the outside.