It feels like a foregone conclusion that the 49ers are going to make at least one move down in the first round of this year’s NFL draft.
We’ve run down what a trade might look like for San Francisco, but we wanted to put feelers out to some of our friends around the NFL Wire Network to see what they might offer for the 49ers’ picks.
We talked to Falcons Wire’s Matt Urben, Colts Wire’s Kevin Hickey, Ravens Wire’s Matthew Stevens, Rams Wire’s Cam DaSilva and Saints Wire’s John Sigler.
Let’s get into the deals they offered and unpack what kind of value the 49ers might get:
Trade with Falcons
49ers get: Nos. 16 and 78 (1,200 points)
Falcons get: No. 13 (1,150 points)
This is a trade we explored when reports surfaced that Atlanta was aiming to move up in this year’s draft.
If the 49ers aren’t enamored with any players at 13, jumping back three spots to pick up a much-needed third-round pick is a savvy move packed with value, especially if the player they like at 13 is going to slide to the No.16 spot.
San Francisco would be left with pick Nos. 16, 31, 78, 156, 176, 210, 217, 245.
Having that third-round pick gives them a little more flexibility with the No. 31 pick as well. They’ll still likely move down, but if they’re in love with a player there, the 49ers have the mid-round draft capital to stick in the end of the first round.
Trade with Colts: 31 for 34 and 122
49ers get: Nos. 34 and 122 (610 points)
Colts get: No. 31 (600 points)
This is another trade we looked at early in the process, and it’s another great value move if San Francisco can get the player they’re eyeing at No. 34. The 49ers move down only three spots to snag a fourth-round selection.
They’d also have a Day 2 pick and an early Day 3 choice to work with. A draft where they pick once in each of the first two rounds, once in the fourth, twice in the fifth, once in the sixth, and twice in the seventh. That’s a good amount of draft capital that gives San Francisco some added flexibility to move around the board.
Where this deal becomes very interesting is pairing it with the first trade proposal with the Falcons. Combining those two deals would give the 49ers these picks: 16, 34, 78, 122, 156, 176, 210, 217, 245.
That’s enough to essentially do whatever they want moving up and down the board, and is probably in line with how the club wants to operate.
Trade with Rams
49ers get: Nos. 52, 84 and 126 (596 points)
Rams get: No. 31 (600 points)
This would be a tough deal to swallow given that it’s a division opponent getting the better end of the deal from a point value standpoint.
However, getting a second, third and fourth for the 31st pick is enticing, especially since it gives them enough capital to jump up in the second round to get the player they want.
It’s difficult to imagine San Francisco making a swap with the Rams that isn’t supremely lopsided in their favor. Los Angeles does have a pair of second-round picks that would likely need to both be in play for the 49ers to make this trade.
Trade with Ravens
49ers get: Nos. 28, 55, 106, 129, 170 (1,157.2 points)
Ravens get: Nos. 13 and 210 (1,156.2 points)
There are a ton of moving parts here. What jumps out first is how far down San Francisco is sliding. Chances are this would be followed by a trade back up in the first round. It’s enticing just from a sheer volume perspective.
The 49ers would be left with these picks: 28, 31, 55, 106, 129, 156, 176, 217, 245
General manager John Lynch would have a ton of capital to work with to move all over the board. The downside is that a move back up the board to find a more high-quality prospect would cost some of that additional capital. If the 49ers think they can find contributors in the back of the first round though, this move and the added draft capital will be more than worth it.
Trade with Saints
49ers get: Emmanuel Sanders
Saints get: No. 13
This was a tongue-in-cheek offer from Saints Wire managing editor John Sigler. If the 49ers wanted Sanders back that badly, they would’ve just re-signed him. Good try by Sigler though. The Saints would love to make this deal. The 49ers – not so much.
