5 preferable trades 49ers can make in 2020 NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Chargers moved on from their longtime quarterback, Philip Rivers, during the offseason. And unless they’re planning on sticking with perennial backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor for the foreseeable future, it’s hard to imagine anything else but Los Angeles grabbing a quarterback early in the NFL Draft.

In all likelihood, the Chargers are part of that early run in signal-callers during Round 1. While there’s a slight chance Los Angeles waits until its first selection in Round 2 to find a quarterback, there’s another scenario at play which could ultimately benefit the 49ers anyway.

For years, the Chargers failed to provide adequate protection for Rivers along the offensive line. Investing in a young quarterback so early mandates O-line improvements.

And in this year’s NFL Draft class, there’s a steep drop from the top-tier linemen available early to those slated to go in the middle rounds.

Similarly, the Bengals could be looking to bolster their O-line again with their second pick in the draft, No. 33 overall. If both L.A. and Cincinnati have eyes on one of those fringe first- or second-round targets, the Chargers moving up a few spots to leapfrog the Bengals could be exactly what the Niners would want.

The value in return only generates a fourth-round pick in return for San Francisco. But at least it’s an early selection, meaning there will inevitably be some day-two talent slipping into Round 4.