49ers general manager John Lynch took a mighty swing in his first draft to trade up from the team’s second-round pick to secure another selection in the back of the first round. They used the No. 31 overall pick to grab linebacker Reuben Foster. San Francisco doesn’t have the same amount of draft capital they had in the 2017 draft, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that use their limited resources to snag an additional first-round pick again this year.
There are a slew of needs San Francisco can fill with a first-round talent. We sifted through the back of the first round of the latest Draft Wire mock, and found some players they might unload their limited draft capital to move up into the back of the first round for:
Florida State EDGE Brian Burns (No. 23)
The only way Burns is available beyond the 25th pick or so is if he measures out even more undersized than his listed 6-5. 235 pounds. That’s not ideal weight for an edge rusher, but Burns overcame it with the Seminoles. He’s an explosive athlete who posted 23 sacks and 38.5 tackles for loss in three college seasons. Even if San Francisco takes an edge rusher early, Burns might just be talented enough to warrant adding to a very weak 49ers depth chart at that position. If they don’t take an edge rusher early – Burns would be a player worth giving up a couple picks for.
Georgia CB DeAndre Baker (No. 31)
Baker doesn’t have great size at 5-11, 180 pounds. He’s extremely physical though and can play either in the slot or outside. His athleticism doesn’t necessarily jump off the screen when watching him, but the 49ers defense is . designed to take away throws over the top. Any lack of speed from Baker shouldn’t be a problem. Corner may not be a big enough need for San Francisco to move up to take one, but it’s worth if they think Baker is a long-term NFL starter.
Florida EDGE Jachai Polite (No. 24)
Polite is like Burns in that his draft stock would need to take a serious hit to fall to the back of Round 1. However, he’s talented enough that a dip into the late 20s could spark the 49ers to trade up. He’s a shade undersized at 6-2, 240 pounds, but he’s extremely quick off the edge with plenty of bend to turn the corner. He fits the same Burns does. The 49ers can use all the talent they can get on the edge, and if they don’t take an edge rusher with the second pick, grabbing one in the back of the first makes a ton of sense.
Mississippi WR AJ Brown (No. 34)
There might not be a better fit for the 49ers at receiver in this draft than Brown. He runs all the routes, gets open, has strong hands, and comes with good size and athleticism to boot. Even if he falls out of the first round, he may not last to the 49ers’ pick at No. 36. A trade up to 31 or 32 to snatch Brown would make a ton of sense, and is the kind of move that would allow them to hit a key need with top-end talent, mitigating some of the loss of draft picks in the trade.
Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry (No. 22)
This receiver class could shake out a ton of different ways. Harry seems destined to go in the early 20s, but a slip beyond that 25 or 26 range would make him an intriguing trade up target for San Francisco. Harry is a good route runner with the tools to be a No. 1 NFL receiver. If the 49ers would trade up for Brown, they’d almost certainly trade up for Harry. The 6-4, 213-pound receiver racked up 155 catches for 2,230 yards and 17 touchdowns the last two seasons. That production is hard to ignore, and something San Francisco desperately needs.
Alabama S Deionte Thompson (No. 29)
Wrist surgery will keep Thompson from participating at the combine, but it shouldn’t keep him from sliding down draft boards. If the 49ers identify safety as a top need, Thompson is the kind of player who can make a difference for them right away. He’s a good athlete with good ball skills who can slide in as the starting free safety on Day 1. His size (6-2, 195 pounds) is more typical of a strong safety in the 49ers’ system, but his skill set projects him more as a free safety. He has the tools to play down in the box if they’re willing to help him develop in that area.. They might address this in free agency, but Thompson is a player who can provide an answer through the draft if they don’t.
