Round 5: 49ers take nickel cornerback D.J. Reed

The 49ers used their fifth-round pick on a nickel cornerback, D.J. Reed from Kansas State.

Who is he? Reed was a first-team All-Big 12 Conference pick last season, finishing with 47 tackles, four interceptions and nine pass breakups. Like second-round pick Dante Pettis, Reed also has value as a returner and had a punt return touchdown and a kickoff return touchdown last season. Reed, who is from Bakersfield, began at Fresno State before moving onto Cerritos College and then Kansas State.

Where he fits? At 5-foot-9, 188, Reed is far shorter and smaller than the 49ers' profile at outside cornerback, suggesting he will play the nickel spot for them. That means he'll compete with K'Waun Williams at that spot with the 49ers. "You just watch my film," he said. "I'm a lock-down corner first and foremost. I don't get scored on."

This story was originally published April 28, 2018 at 11:18 AM.