Could the 49ers trade up in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft?
By Peter Panacy
If the San Francisco 49ers make a move in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft, it’s likely down in the order. But would general manager John Lynch and Co. consider trading up?
Yeah, it’s actually feasible to think the San Francisco 49ers could trade up in the 2018 NFL Draft.
This isn’t just cliche. There’s a reason why general manager John Lynch would want to move up from the No. 9 overall spot in the draft to an earlier pick.
So, what would that reason be? And exactly how would Lynch go about doing it?
San Francisco 49ers
Earlier, Niner Noise broke down a trade-down scenario involving the Buffalo Bills, who currently own the No. 12 overall pick. This is the likely viewpoint for most analysts assuming the 49ers make a draft-day trade. After all, the Niners have no shortage of team needs and could benefit from the added picks.
A trade-up, though? Why?
Before we get to that, let’s understand the first five picks, or so, are going to be dominated by quarterbacks. Four of the top five picks could easily be signal-callers. The Cleveland Browns (Nos. 1 and 4) likely grab a QB. The New York Giants (No. 2) could as well, and the New York Jets are likely to grab one at No. 3 after moving up, via a move with the Indianapolis Colts, from No. 6.
All this will push non-QB talent down the draft board. Yet if San Francisco is eager to land a particular one of these players, trading up might be the only way to do so.
49ers’ No. 1 Target
A quality pass-rusher is arguably a team’s most crucial need after a quarterback. Last year, the Niners were tied for 26th with just 30 sacks. They’ll be on the hunt for a top-tier pass-rusher in this year’s NFL Draft.
NC State’s Bradley Chubb is the consensus No. 1 EDGE in this year’s draft. But he won’t likely make it to the 49ers’ current selection. After all, the two teams with the worst sack totals in 2017 — the Indianapolis Colts (No. 6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 7) — select ahead of San Francisco.
Sure, there are other pass-rushers Lynch and Co. could target. But let’s assume, for a moment, Chubb is the No. 1 prospect on the team’s big board.
How would the 49ers get Chubb?
A Move-Up with the Denver Broncos
At No. 5 overall in the draft, the Denver Broncos don’t necessarily have to grab a quarterback after inking Case Keenum in free agency.
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Keenum might not be the long-term answer for Broncos GM John Elway. But the former Minnesota Viking could be good enough for a stopgap option until other options present themselves.
There’s a strong bond between Lynch and Elway. The two nearly pulled off a trade this offseason for cornerback Aqib Talib, before the veteran rejected it and elected to be sent to the Los Angeles Rams instead.
It’s not out of the question Elway could deal his first pick to Lynch at a relatively bargain price. According to Pro Football Talk’s draft-pick value chart, a trade-up from No. 9 to No. 5 would cost 350 points in value. San Francisco’s second pick in the draft, No. 59 overall, is worth 310 points.
On the surface, Elway would want a pick worth at least 40 points in return. The closest thing would be the 49ers’ fourth-round selection (No. 124 overall), which is worth 48 points.
But, hopefully, Elway wouldn’t demand the compensation.
Either way, the Niners get their pass-rusher at the expense of a late second rounder.
Next: 49ers' NFL Draft mock with trades
Will it happen? Who knows? But it’s impossible to rule out the thought.