SF 49ers: 4 trade scenarios with team’s top 2021 NFL Draft pick
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: SF 49ers want in on one of the top QBs atop the NFL Draft
Like the Lions, the Jets are going to need all the help they can get to rebuild their franchise, although they’ve remained mostly mute on whether or not they want to commit to their current starting quarterback, Sam Darnold.
If Robert Saleh and the Jets do want to move on, staying put at No. 2 overall seems like the best option.
But let’s assume they have their eyes on other options, including keeping Darnold, while the SF 49ers are eyeing someone like Zach Wilson, who won’t last outside of the top five picks and could easily wind up being the second player selected after the presumed Jacksonville Jaguars pick of Trevor Lawrence.
If so, a trade up from No. 12 to No. 2 takes place, it won’t come cheap. No favors from Saleh.
The 2016 trade the Eagles made to grab Carson Wentz could be used as something of a template. In that deal, the Cleveland Browns moved the No. 2 overall pick and the rights to grab Wentz to the Eagles along with a 2017 fourth-round selection in exchange for Philly’s top pick in 2016, No. 8 overall, a third- and a fourth-round pick in 2016, a 2017 first-round pick and a 2018 second-round pick.
Yeah, a lot.
Assuming the Niners want to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo, at least in 2022 if not earlier, it would take multiple first-round selections and likely some additional day-two picks just to start the negotiation process.
With a number of other teams potentially in the hunt, too, for the No. 2 overall pick, the Jets’ asking price would only steepen.
But it could be worth it for a player of Wilson’s ilk.