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San Francisco 49ers: Is a trade with the New England Patriots the most logical action?

By Jeremy Wohlfart

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots speaks to the media after losing 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots speaks to the media after losing 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) /
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With less than a week before the 2018 NFL Draft kicks off, we look at a rumor quickly gathering speed that the New England Patriots could look to trade up, and whether the San Francisco 49ers are a perfect trading partner.

Remember when the San Francisco 49ers acquired Jimmy Garoppolo for a second-round pick? Wasn’t that like an unbelievably awesome deal where we’re still pinching ourselves a little at the sheer value?

Well the wheeling and dealing between the teams could have another chapter in it yet.

There’s been a lot of whispers about UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen and the New England Patriots lately. There seems to be some real interest in the quarterback, and it isn’t unlikely Rosen could fall, with Josh Allen and Sam Darnold the two favorites to go at No. 1 overall.

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Add in the New York Jets, who love Baker Mayfield, and the New York Giants, who seem to prefer Saquon Barkley over a quarterback, and Josh Rosen could have a small slide until a team moves up for him.

Enter New England and their first round picks, and enter San Francisco who currently have a very good relationship trade-wise.

Indeed, there’s a feeling that the 49ers even “owe” the Patriots for the Garoppolo trade, according to NESN reporter Doug Kyed:

"If Rosen is available at No. 9 overall, could they swing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers to move up for Rosen? The draft trade value chart says it would take either the Patriots’ No. 23 overall pick and the 31st overall pick or Nos. 23, 43 and 95 to move up. The 49ers may owe the Patriots a favor anyway after acquiring quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for just a second-round pick."

While I don’t believe the 49ers owe anyone anything for any past trades, a close look at this trade does seem to be interesting if the 49ers want to move down.

Examining the value:

So we have two possible trades here to examine. A straight first-round swap sending the 49ers’ No. 9 for the Patriots’ Nos. 23 and 31, and a trade sending No. 9 for the Patriots’ No. 23, No. 43 and No. 95.

Let’s examine the trusty trade chart.

No. 9 is worth 1,350 points, the Patriots picks would clock in at:

No. 23 (760) + No. 31 (600) = 1,360 points
No 23 (760) + No. 43 (470) + No. 95 (120) = 1,330 points

So both pretty close, but being slightly undervalued on the second deal obviously both first-round picks would be the ideal trade.

Certainly the chart is a guide more than the law, and the 49ers could be more than happy with either trade.

Possible trade-down targets:

Walter Football did their own take on this trade (No. 9 for Nos. 23 and 31) and listed some targets for the 49ers:

"Wide Receiver: Courtland Sutton, SMU; D.J. Moore, Maryland. The 49ers tried to sign Allen Robinson this offseason, but failed. Perhaps they’d find their No. 1 option after moving down. Guard: Isaiah Wynn, Georgia; Will Hernandez, UTEP. San Francisco has some pretty poor guard play, so the position definitely needs to be addressed. Edge Rusher: Harold Landry, Boston College; Sam Hubbard, Ohio State. An edge rusher to pair with Solomon Thomas could definitely be acquired. Inside Linebacker: Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State; Rashaan Evans, Alabama. If Vander Esch slips a bit, the 49ers could take him to replace Reuben Foster. Evans is a logical choice as well. Cornerback: Joshua Jackson, Iowa; Jaire Alexander, Louisville. The 49ers could be in the market for a new cornerback as well. Richard Sherman was signed, but he’s no long-term solution."

It is possible Harold Landry falls that far, but unlikely. He would be the ideal selection overall, and I think Landry at No. 23 and Will Hernandez from UTEP at No. 31 overall would be the two best-case scenarios choices here.

Conclusion:

We’re so close to the NFL Draft, and there’s just no telling what the 49ers will do. General manager John Lynch has already been a shrewd operator in the draft, and no doubt has multiple ideas depending on what happens on Day 1.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Final 4-round mock ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft

There seems to be a trade perfect for the 49ers with the Patriots two first rounders, certainly the 49ers still have a few holes left to fill, and there is a good working relationship between the two franchises.

What do you think? Should the 49ers cut a deal with the Patriots if the opportunity arises? Let us know!