Niner Noise
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2019 NFL Draft: 5 bold predictions for John Lynch and the 49ers

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers answers questions from the media on Day 2 of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers answers questions from the media on Day 2 of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

What if San Francisco 49ers fans could get inside the mind of general manager John Lynch? Well, Niner Noise attempts to do that and predict what he’ll do in the 2019 NFL Draft.

We know this: The San Francisco 49ers own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and currently sit on a total of six selections.

We also know the Niners have been linked to a number of top prospects, including Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa, Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Kentucky EDGE Josh Allen. There are a few others, too, such as Mississippi State EDGE Montez Sweat, who might see his stock drop after a heart condition was revealed at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.

Essentially, general manager John Lynch has one of four options with that first pick. He’ll either take Bosa, reinforcing the team’s outside pass rush. Or he’ll take a potent interior disrupting presence in Williams. Lynch could grab Allen, who’d solve both strong-side linebacker and EDGE needs.

Or Lynch will trade back from No. 2, perhaps going after Sweat later in Round 1.

So, what will San Francisco’s general manager do? And what will Lynch and his staff do once the Niners’ first pick is officially in the books, whenever it falls?

It’s time to get into Lynch’s head a bit and come up with some predictions for the team’s actions later this April.

Prediction No. 5: John Lynch Makes a Trade with the Broncos

It happened during Lynch’s first NFL Draft — a deal with his good friend, Denver Broncos general manager John Elway. That year, the 49ers acquired running back Kapri Bibbs and a fifth-round pick in exchange for a fourth rounder.

Turns out, Bibbs never made the regular-season roster. But the move made sense at the time, considering the team’s rebuild.

Instead of speculating the pick, all one needs to do is recall the relationship between Elway and Lynch. Tack on the fact the 49ers only have six picks in this year’s draft. And while dropping out of the No. 2 spot to the Broncos’ No. 10 pick might be a bit far fetched, another move in the later rounds is entirely possible.

Denver owns eight picks in this year’s draft, including two in Round 5. One of those mid-to-late rounders might be what it takes for the Broncos and Niners to swap places in the middle rounds, adding some much-needed draft capital to Lynch’s arsenal to reinforce the team’s depth.

Look for Lynch and Elway to continue their trade-happy relationship on draft day.