4 players 49ers could use as trade chips in 2021 NFL Draft

No. 1: 49ers Right Tackle Mike McGlinchey

San Francisco already has a key decision to make with its right tackle, Mike McGlinchey, as the deadline to pick up his fifth-year option is May 3 of this year.

That fully guaranteed money might be too much for the 49ers to absorb for a player, who while well above average in run blocking, hasn’t improved much at all in pass protection. And with a loaded cast of starting-caliber tackles in this year’s draft, including many extending into day three, it’s not out of the question the Niners do something not unlike what they did back in 2018 when they grabbed McGlinchey: trade away the incumbent starter at right tackle, Trent Brown.

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Some rumors have already surfaced about teams inquiring about McGlinchey’s availability. That’s something to monitor. And if Kyle Shanahan isn’t overly happy about McGlinchey’s development, it might be worth moving him while he has some trade value.

Thereby leaving that fifth-year option decision to another team and also saving that money for needs elsewhere, given an incoming rookie would cost significantly less.

Doing so would be preemptive to a point, essentially getting away from having to commit to McGlinchey in 2022 and/or signing him long term when his contract expires. And while that same deep draft class could deter other teams from trading for the former Notre Dame product, San Francisco getting something back for a player who might not be in its long-term plans anyway is always beneficial.

Even if it’s only for a day-three draft pick.