Niner Noise
FanSided

2017 NFL Draft: 49ers Should Trade No. 2 Overall Pick to the Titans

By Solomon Brown

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The San Francisco 49ers should send off the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft to the Tennessee Titans, in exchange for some much-needed draft capital.

The 49ers need to consider trading down in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft in an attempt to stack up more picks.

They currently hold the No. 2 overall pick, and many might think they should draft one of the young quarterbacks with the pick.

However, let’s explore another possibility San Francisco could go after.

High draft picks are considered gold for two main reasons — you can draft a top-ranked talent or you can trade them to more complete teams to stockpile more draft picks.

Surely the Titans have needs on the offensive side of the ball as well, primarily at wide receiver. By staying at No. 5 in the current order, they would position themselves to get the best skill player available.

So what San Francisco’s next general manager needs to do is convince Tennessee trading up is the best option, and guys like Clemson’s Mike Williams aren’t game-changing picks.

Not easy, but possible.

If the 49ers were able to get the ear of the Titans, they should offer a package like the No. 2 pick, plus current Niners wideout Torrey Smith and a fourth round pick. That could work, especially if Cleveland passes on Myles Garrett at first overall.

Three-Round Mock Draft

If the 49ers pull it off, these are the players they should consider bringing to the Bay Area:

Round 1

No. 5 — TIM WILLIAMS, ALABAMA OLB

No. 15 — JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER, USC WR

Round 2

No. 34 — PATRICK MAHOMES, TEXAS TECH QB

Texas Tech quarterback Mahomes may need a little game time experience, but I see Russell Wilson-type upside in him.

He’s elusive, makes mind-boggling plays and has a competitor’s attitude. Pair him up with JuJu Smith-Schuster’s swagger, Carlos Hyde’s toughness and a decent free agent wide receiver acquisition, this offense could be something special.

Nov 19, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (5) throws a pass against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (5) throws a pass against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Tim Williams would fill the biggest hole on this defense of nobodies.

With an “Aldon Smith” back on the edge, the interior D-linemen (also first-round picks) will be able to see more single blocks, freeing them up to actually make plays.

It would help if the 49ers could sign a big man to anchor the line at nose guard, like Chiefs Dontari Poe or Ravens Brandon Williams.  Even if they can’t, Aaron Lynch and Tim Williams would give the 49ers a pass rush again.

More from Niner Noise

I know right! You get a Sack! You get a Sack! You get a sack! Its awesome!

The bottom line is the 49ers are such an awful team, that sticking with the No. 2 pick isn’t going to help them cover the board with talent.

Sure, you might get one guy like quarterback DeShone Kizer at No. 2, but you’ll have to settle for whichever receivers and pass-rushers are left in Rounds 2 and 3.

Next: 49ers Should Eye Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes

Give up the crisp $20 bill and get a couple of $5 bills, 49ers. They’ll eventually add up.