5 workable trades 49ers could make during 2020 offseason
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: Quarterback Nick Mullens to the Eagles
There will be those who disagree with this trade scenario right out of the gate, instead suggesting the 49ers should trade quarterback C.J. Beathard this offseason, not Nick Mullens.
For those who think that way, be reminded Beathard has zero in trade value. A 1-9 career record and being at the bottom in most significant offensive categories during his two-year starting tenure attest to that.
San Francisco has a backup-quarterback conundrum behind Jimmy Garoppolo. While a quality backup is helpful, the ideal scenario is the backup never seeing the field for meaningful action, rather being used as a trade piece like the New England Patriots did with Garoppolo when they shipped him to the Niners in 2017.
That move didn’t stop the Pats from back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, winning one of them.
The Philadelphia Eagles make sense for a couple of reasons. For starters, their quarterback, Carson Wentz, hasn’t quite lived up to expectations the past couple of seasons, particularly with staying healthy. And Philly’s backup situation behind him remains unsolved. Second, former 49ers quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello, who was instrumental in the Niners landing Mullens, is now on the Eagles staff. The two would reunite.
A third-round pick would be ideal for San Francisco, yes. But the Eagles don’t have to trade for Mullens, therefore dumbing down the compensation a bit. To sweeten the deal, however, a 2021 conditional fourth-round pick — based on if Mullens starts, let’s say, eight games in 2020 — turns into the Eagles’ third rounder the following year.
Not a bad return for a former undrafted free agent with a mere eight NFL-level starts under his belt.