Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 scenario predictions for the 49ers in Round 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown on a short run during the first half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown on a short run during the first half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 4: An Early Round 1 Run on Quarterbacks

OK, now for the polar opposite scenario.

It’s important to note quarterback stock values only rise in the months and weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Last year’s QB class wasn’t considered that great. But three quarterbacks ended up going in Round 1, two of them involving lucrative trade-ups (Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes).

Speaking of trade-ups…

Recall those quarterback-needy teams on the previous slide for a second. Imagine, for a moment, the Browns, Giants, Broncos and Jets all grab quarterbacks. That would push a number of the lower-drafting teams into positions where they may need to get aggressive.

Out of the four listed QB-needy teams drafting behind the Niners, the Cardinals are certainly the most desperate. They don’t have a quarterback signed for 2018, especially following Carson Palmer’s retirement. The Redskins could be desperate too, depending on what happens with Kirk Cousins this offseason.

Either way, John Lynch can take advantage of this situation. San Francisco gave up its second rounder to the Patriots in exchange for Jimmy Garoppolo. Considering Lynch’s Round 1 NFL Draft moves a year ago, it wouldn’t be a shock to see this happen again.

The Cardinals or Redskins cash in on the final end run of quarterbacks, while the Niners stockpile picks.

John Lynch’s Reaction: 49ers trade down with the Cardinals or Redskins, adding either team’s second-round NFL Draft pick and then boasting two in Round 2 (the other being the New Orleans Saints).