3 positives of 49ers not trading for Julio Jones
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers need to save NFL Draft picks, rookie contracts
Veteran players like Julio Jones are far more valuable than NFL Draft picks. Anyone who says otherwise doesn’t understand the volatile nature of the draft and how often rookies don’t pan out despite being so hyped leading up to draft day.
That said, San Francisco is noticeably short on top-end draft picks the next two years, having traded away first-round selections in 2022 and 2023, along with a Round 3 selection next year, to move up to No. 3 overall in this year’s draft to grab quarterback Trey Lance.
There’s a good chance the 49ers inquired about Jones. Not having a first-round pick to offer anytime soon could have hindered any possibility the Niners had in getting Jones from Atlanta. But seeing what the Titans gave up, San Francisco could have afforded it.
But would it have been beneficial to do so?
One of the underlying benefits of draft picks isn’t always the player himself, rather the benefit of at least a cheaper four-year rookie contract. It’s precisely what the 49ers are enjoying right now with Warner, who cost the team a mere $1.096 million cap hit in 2020 despite playing at an All-Pro level.
Saving that second-round pick doesn’t guarantee a star player in the making next season. But it at least opens up the possibility of it while helping guard against having to open up the checkbook right away.