Safety Eric Reid’s fifth-year option was picked up by the 49ers for the 2017 season, a league source confirmed Monday morning.
General manager Trent Baalke recently conveyed that Reid, their top draft pick in 2013, would get that 2017 option if a long-term extension couldn’t be reached.
So what exactly is Reid’s long-term outlook? Well, it got muddled a bit after this past weekend’s draft, specifically with the selection of third-round cornerback Will Redmond.
Baalke said Redmond will start his career as a nickel back, covering interior receivers from the slot. What’s intriguing about that is Jimmie Ward, their 2014 first-round pick, was drafted for the same purpose and indeed blossomed in that role last season.