San Francisco 49ers: Laying out the perfect 2018 NFL Draft

No. 1: X-factors

There are a few potential X-factors for San Francisco in the 2018 NFL Draft.

• Foster might be gone — There is a possibility that Foster might not be on the 49ers roster when the NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 26. Maybe the team decides to release Foster to try to minimize the backlash, which has already begun. Or possibly they wait until after the draft has completed and then let Foster go. Either scenario would impact how the team approaches the draft.

• Trade possible — The chances of a first-round trade are strong, considering the following:
  • Lynch executed one in his very first draft as general manager.
  • There are quite a couple quarterback-needy teams slotted just after the 49ers at No. 9 overall (namely the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals).
  • The 49ers already have their quarterback in place, and there are teams selecting in the Top 10 who need a quarterback (Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Denver Broncos). This point piggybacks on the one just above.
• Players falling — If four quarterbacks are taken before the 49ers select, that would mean one of the draft’s top overall players would fall down to San Francisco. Guard Quenton Nelson and EDGE Bradley Chubb are candidates here, and I bet the 49ers would snatch either of them up in an instant if available. Later on in the draft is the possibility of finding great value in players who have slipped through the cracks. Running backs Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt were both third-round picks last year. San Francisco owns the No. 59, No. 70, No. 74, No. 128, No. 143, No. 183, No. 223 and No. 240 picks.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: 5 most desirable players at No. 9 in the 2018 NFL Draft

With a sturdy war chest and a more defined roster, the 49ers are in a far better position heading into the draft than they were last year.