re: You do not use first round picks on need

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Why not trade up to get Foster?

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Lynch: If Bears had taken Solomon Thomas, likely the 49ers would have taken Reuben Foster at 3.

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The 49ers used the two picks in the first round to select Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas and Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster. Who was atop their 200-player draft board? Texas A&M edge defender Myles Garrett sat at the top spot followed by Thomas and Foster

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Regarding Foster, who's stock fell following a number of issues since his college career ended, Shanahan said that the team did their homework on the linebacker. "The thing about Reuben is we know he's made some mistakes but – you guys will see when he gets down here – he's a very good person," he said. "We really believe in him. We flew him down here (and) spent a lot of time with him. Probably talked to him on the phone or Facetime I'd say about eight of the last 12 days. So we developed a relationship with him pretty good and he's a very honest person. He's explained to us everything. we're very happy to have him."

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After selecting Thomas with the third pick, Shanahan said that everyone in the draft war room sat there and waited to see when Foster, the next player on their board, would be selected. "From five on, I'm betting when Reuben's going to go," Shanahan said. "I probably lost about 20 bets in a row."

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