San Francisco 49ers: 5 bold predictions for 2021 NFL Draft

49ers Prediction No. 2: San Francisco trades back into Round 1

After using the No. 3 overall pick on Justin Fields in this prediction piece, the 49ers aren’t poised to select again until Round 2 where they hold the No. 43 overall selection.

There are good reasons why the Niners may want to trade back into the first round, although they’ll likely have to dip into their stockpile of 2022 NFL Draft picks to make something happen. Finding a willing trade partner would be a top priority, too. Perhaps the rebuilding New Orleans Saints, picking at No. 28 overall, would be willing. Maybe even the Buffalo Bills at No. 30.

But the key reason could be one of the top non-quarterback prospects on San Francisco’s radar having no chance of falling to the 49ers at No. 43 overall.

Case in point, the Niners need cornerbacks. Four top names could easily go in Round 1:

1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
2. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
3. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
4. Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

There’s always hope San Francisco gets one or more of them to fall, but that would be quite the stretch. And while there are other solid second-round prospects, the 49ers may feel one of those aforementioned names would be worth targeting and investing additional draft capital in aside from their second draft-day selection.

In this prediction, the Niners do move back up towards the tail end of Round 1, grabbing a slipping corner who won’t make it too deep into the second round.