49ers biggest winners, losers from surprising 2022 NFL Draft class

49ers loser: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

After failing to trade him at the start of the league new year last March, the Niners’ next best chance to move Jimmy Garoppolo would have been right smack in the middle of the NFL Draft, perhaps to a team that either chose to pass on, or ultimately couldn’t land one of the few not-so-hot quarterbacking prospects in this year’s class.

Two teams, the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers, were thought to make this position a priority, though. And both also could have been in the market for disgruntled Cleveland Browns signal-caller Baker Mayfield, too.

San Francisco isn’t going to trade Garoppolo within the NFC West, so we can cross the Hawks off the list of would-be suitors, essentially leaving Carolina as the only legitimate option.

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However, once the Panthers selected Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral in Round 3 of the draft, the likelihood of them sending off some sort of trade package to the 49ers for Garoppolo diminished almost to the point of nonexistence.

Garoppolo isn’t going to hang onto a backup role with the Niners, certainly not at his current projected cost of $27 million in 2022. And even though he still has employment, the fact Carolina won’t be making a move for him means he’s almost guaranteed to lose out on millions of dollars this year.

Tough break for him, as he’s effectively left with Mayfield as the two starters still standing in the musical-chairs quarterback carousel that took place all offseason.