Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 3 scenarios for the 49ers trading down in Round 1

By Peter Panacy

Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 3: Head Coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills yells during the first quarter against the New England Patriots on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 3: Head Coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills yells during the first quarter against the New England Patriots on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Scenario No. 1: 49ers Trade with the Bills

The Bills already moved up to No. 12 in a big-time deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Having shipped quarterback Tyrod Taylor off to the Browns, Buffalo is going to be on the hunt for a future quarterback this offseason.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Here’s the list of picks, courtesy of Draft Wire:

  • 1st round | 12th overall (from CIN)
  • 1st round | 22nd overall (from KC)
  • 2nd round | 53rd overall
  • 2nd round | 56th overall (from LAR)
  • 3rd round | 65th overall (from CLE)
  • 3rd round | 96th overall (from PHI)
  • 4th round | 121st overall
  • 5th round | 166th overall (from JAX)
  • 6th round | 187th overall (from CIN)

In this scenario, the Bills send off their own first rounder and a second-round pick (acquired from the Los Angeles Rams) in exchange for San Francisco’s own No. 9 overall pick.

The Niners would win this trade, according to draft-pick point value, but that’s the going rate for a hot quarterback class.

The move benefits Buffalo, as it wouldn’t have to sit back and wait for a second- or third-tier quarterback to fall to them at No. 12. And it doesn’t make a big dent in the Bills’ draft plans either, merely removing a late Round 2 selection.

Meanwhile, the 49ers get two second rounders, having dealt off their own in exchange for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

If the Niners wanted, they might be able to move up earlier in the round too, using both picks as move-up compensation.