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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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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers runs off the field during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers runs off the field during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Prediction No. 3: John Lynch Tries to Trade a Quarterback

You may or may not hear about this. Unless it actually happens, of course.

If it doesn’t, you’ll have to rely on reports. And it’s anyone’s guess whether or not news will be leaked on John Lynch’s attempted actions that fall short.

That said, Lynch and the 49ers do have a small advantage in this year’s NFL Draft. They have three quarterbacks on their roster capable of starting. Meanwhile, the 2019 draft doesn’t exactly have a lot of starting-caliber options.

San Francisco isn’t going to offload quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, of course, meaning either backups, Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard, could feasibly be on the move. It’s possible one of them is dealt straight up or used as part of a trade-up package if Lynch and the 49ers want to move back into one of the middle rounds. It all depends.

Mullens, after showing plenty of pluck in the second half of 2018, has the better trade value. And his undrafted free-agent contract should be attractive to a team in desperate need for a starting-caliber guy. Beathard’s trade value is almost nonexistent, but his value might be enough for the 49ers to move ahead a few spots, if desired.

Either way, one shouldn’t expect San Francisco to keep all three of its quarterbacks on the regular-season roster, meaning an excess piece could easily be on the trade block during the draft.