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2017 NFL Draft: Exploring the 49ers Options at No. 2 Overall in Round 1

By Peter Panacy

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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) attends a press conference after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) attends a press conference after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Option 4: 49ers Trade Back to No. 5 and Pick Up the Titans No. 18 Overall Pick as Well

In case you’re new to Niner Noise, you might not have realized one of the best decisions many of our team contributors are suggesting is to trade down from No. 2 overall.

San Francisco should have its eyes on one player at that particular spot, and we’ll get to him on the following slide.

But if he’s not there, the 49ers shouldn’t hesitate about moving down in the draft order.

More from SF 49ers Draft

One can come up with a number of different situations here. An easy scenario would be to drop back to the No. 5 spot with the Tennessee Titans, and require the Titans’ No. 18 pick in exchange. If one checks out the draft-value numbers provided by Pro Football Talk, the transaction adds up almost perfectly.

Just like that, San Francisco has two first-round picks. And the Niners need as many as they can get.

Remember the quarterbacking needs? Well, the 18th overall pick can be used on whoever is highest on the draft board at this position. Perhaps the guy is North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky if he falls. Or maybe the 49ers tab Clemson’s Deshaun Watson or Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer here.

But what to do with that No. 5 pick?

The previous slide still applies, but I’m a big fan of Alabama’s Reuben Foster here. The inside linebacker would be an immediate upgrade over anything the 49ers have tried to place alongside NaVorro Bowman since Patrick Willis’ retirement.

And if we’re going with the “make the Niners defense great again” argument here, Foster would easily be a critical component.