Niner Noise
FanSided

What DeForest Buckner trade reveals about 49ers NFL Draft plans

By Elvis Jerez

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to recovering a fumble during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to recovering a fumble during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers traded DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Daft. Is the Niners front office looking at a wide receiver or trading out of their next selection, the 31st overall pick?

Yes and no.

The San Francisco 49ers traded a massive chess piece in their star-studded defense in exchange for an unknown at this point. Not even high NFL Draft picks come with any guarantees of success in the NFL. The Niners already knew what they had in defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, so why the bold move?

The Niners need a No. 1 wide receiver.

The only receiver on the 2019 49ers roster who genuinely fit that mold was Emmanuel Sanders, but as of last week, he’ll be catching passes from quarterback Drew Brees in New Orleans with the Saints during the 2020 season.

For all the depth San Francisco has at wide receiver — Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, Marquise Goodwin, Dante Pettis, Richie James, Jr., Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd — none have proven to be that guy. Given his impressive debut during his rookie season, Samuel comes closest.

Bourne was also impressive, but like Samuel, he struggled with drops throughout the season. Bourne was also hit and miss in game-changing situations. Goodwin will undoubtedly be gone, as he hasn’t lived up to his potential during his tenure with the Niners, so scratch him.

Pettis inexplicably rode pine for the majority of the season in what should’ve been a breakout year two. Except for two impressive returns, James was nothing more than serviceable as a punt returner. Taylor and Hurd were out all season due to injury. Taylor will need to find his football legs again, and Hurd has yet to take a regular-season snap at the pro level.

Based on their performance thus far, none of those guys stand out as a real No. 1 wide receiver.

Look for San Francisco to change that with the 13th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Luckily, the top three wide receivers of a deep and talented receiver draft class should all be available when the Niners go on the clock with the 13th pick. The first 10 teams on the board have more pressing needs, so the only teams who could realistically grab a receiver ahead of the 49ers are the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders.

If Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and either of Alabama’s, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, are still available at No. 13, the Niners can’t go wrong. All three are poised route runners who can create separation and gain indispensable yards after the catch, but our best guess:

13. player. 42. . Wide Receiver. San Francisco 49ers. Jerry Jeudy

And, no, San Francisco will not be trading out of the 31st overall pick.

For years, the Niners have struggled with keeping a healthy secondary and ignored the position in last year’s draft. Sure, with a dominating front seven, the team managed to get away with it all the way to the Super Bowl, but they will right the ship in this draft.

Look for the team to take either cornerback A.J. Terrell out of Clemson or Tevon Diggs from Alabama or safety Xavier McKinney, also from Alabama.

Our best guess:

42. . Safety. San Francisco 49ers. Xavier McKinney. 31. player

Next. 49ers need to land Jerry Jeudy. dark

The 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 23.