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2017 NFL Draft: Five Biggest Questions for 49ers

By Logan Stanley

Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Will the 49ers Trade Down?

The big one.

This is the question that most draft analysts are pondering about. And the recent comments by Lynch add fuel to the fire (via Matt Barrows):

"“We’re open for business,” Lynch said. “We’ll listen to anything. I’ve always said – you don’t like being at 2-14, but you like having the second pick. It puts you in the driver’s seat. A lot of options at your disposal, and we’ll explore every single one of them.” Perhaps most revealing was that Lynch said there already have been discussions with other teams about trade scenarios. “I’m not going to get into specifics on that, but there’s interest,” he said."

That is an insightful quote — it gives us an idea of how the 49ers are operating. Evidently, they do not view the No. 2 pick as a “must-have” in this year’s draft.

And it makes sense why. There is no clear-cut prospect behind Texas A&M EDGE Myles Garrett, who will surely be picked No. 1 overall. That leaves San Francisco in a peculiar position; a high-value draft position with zero consensus on a No. 2 player. This is why trading down would be beneficial for the 49ers.

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San Francisco could easily nab a player later in the top 15 that they would have selected at No. 2 as the pool of players is so large. Doing that, combined with stockpiling draft assets, would be a definitive win-win situation for the 49ers.

With the new secretive culture that has been built in San Francisco, we really have no idea who the 49ers like and do not like. That is what makes this question the most tantalizing one as the team could really go in any direction.

Next: San Francisco 49ers 2017 NFL Regular-Season Schedule Released, Easier Road to NFC West?

San Francisco is easily going to be one of the more entertaining teams to watch during the draft with a new regime and additions needed at multiple positions, as well of the potential of a trade. Next week’s draft is set to begin April 27 at 5 p.m. PST on ESPN and NFL Network.