49ers roster: 5 creative trades John Lynch could execute in 2022

Creative Trade No. 4: 49ers trade Jimmy Garoppolo to Commanders

The Steelers may be the presumed favorites to land Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason. But a late front-runner has emerged for Jimmy G’s services.

The Washington Commanders.

Washington is seeking an upgrade over Taylor Heinicke. And with a strong defense amid an otherwise questionable NFC East, the time might be now to strike for a starting-caliber quarterback who could at least turn head coach Ron Rivera’s squad into a playoff contender.

According to a report from The Athletic’s Ben Standig, the Commanders could “justify” using their top pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, No. 11 overall, in a trade for Garoppolo.

While lofty and surely ideal from the 49ers’ vantage point, the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft might be too big a pipe dream and something the Niners would, in all reality, have no chance in getting for Garoppolo by itself.

So, why not sweeten the deal by adding San Francisco’s second-round pick in return, too?

This would accomplish two things for John Lynch. First, it would get the 49ers out from under Garoppolo’s contract, and it would also afford the Niners to focus more on quality players, not quantity.

With a Super Bowl-caliber roster already in place, San Francisco needs immediate-impact prospects, the kinds who could be had at No. 11 overall and not anywhere near as likely in Round 2.