Grading the San Francisco 49ers Offseason so Far

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Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks on the field before the start of the game against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

This and That

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants to be traded. And the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns seem like likely destinations, right?

Well, the problem appears to be that the 49ers, Browns and Broncos can’t agree on what will happen on the transaction wire. San Francisco wants a second-round pick although may be willing to settle for an early third rounder, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

#Browns willing to part w/ 3rd rnder for Colin Kaepernick, sources say, but hinges on redoing $19 million a yr deal https://t.co/f42mgTHo2L
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 12, 2016

But Kaepernick would have to accept a pay cut, per the report. And he’ll have to play behind a depleted offensive line.

So maybe Denver would be a better fit for Kaepernick. After all, the Broncos lost quarterbacks Peyton Manning (retirement) and Brock Osweiler (free agency) and are on the hunt for a new signal-caller despite landing former Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Yet the Broncos feel as if Kap is worth a fourth-round pick and not the second rounder for which San Francisco is hoping, per Mike Silver of Sports Illustrated.

The Broncos have told the 49ers they believe Kaepernick is worth a fourth-round pick. They'd have to figure out a way to make that work.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 14, 2016

The Broncos don’t have their own fourth-round pick in this year’s draft. They do have a compensatory selection, but these picks cannot be traded until a rule change takes effect next year.

But the 49ers can afford to stand their ground.

It’s a good, if not perfect, situation for San Francisco to be in. The team can hold tight and let the best offer come to the table. If the 49ers don’t get what they want, Kaepernick will be on the roster and in a position to compete for a starting job.

Grade: B-

Next: Overall Grade