San Francisco 49ers: 3 options to upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo

No. 1: 49ers trade for Sam Darnold

Now, hear me out on this one.

The Jets failed to get the best out of their 2018 first-round pick, quarterback Sam Darnold, and didn’t provide him with enough weapons to excel in the league. The 49ers are loaded with weapons and have a strong offensive line to protect him.

Darnold should basically be treated as a rookie heading into 2021, as he has had to put up with some questionable coaching decisions beforehand. He still has the benefit of being extremely cheap for one year at the very least.

The Jets look set on Zach Wilson, and therefore Darnold is surplus to requirements. That being said, you would have to imagine Darnold could be got on a cheap deal. If the 49ers can give up a fourth- or fifth-round pick to get Darnold from New York, they would still have picks in the first and second rounds.

Darnold was ranked extremely highly coming out of the draft and would probably be considered inside the top three of this year’s draft, too.

So, back to the No. 3 pick.

If the 49ers do decide to go get Darnold, they need to find a way to use him and get the best out of him. Florida’s Kyle Pitts is a naturally gifted tight end with wide receiver abilities. Why not pair him with George Kittle and have the best tight end partnership to ever play in the league.

If Darnold can’t excel in that system, then where can he?