One of the many problems facing the San Francisco 49ers in the 2026 NFL Draft is the fact they boast only six picks, two of which are in the first 100 selections and the balance all occurring in Round 4.
NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco has a proposal that can change all of that.
Calling it a "win-win deal" for both the Niners and their NFC West rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, Maiocco suggested general manager John Lynch trade down from the No. 27 overall pick in an effort to pick up the Cards' top pick in Round 2 (No. 34 overall), plus Nos. 104 and 143 in Rounds 4 and 5, respectively:
"They have an opening to add a starter at left guard and, perhaps, safety. The 49ers also need to add significant contributors along the defensive line, beginning with another player or two who can get after the quarterback.
The 49ers can also add at wide receiver, tight end and cornerback.
If the 49ers trade out of the first round, they would have the ability to add some good talent at several different positions of need."
Interesting trade suggestion. And it actually makes a good deal of sense.
Matt Maiocco's proposed trade between 49ers and Cardinals is worth considering
From San Francisco's vantage point, by dropping out of the first round, it'd still have a legitimate shot to grab a day-one starter at a position of need: offensive line, safety or even cornerback. And there are plenty of likable options at wide receiver, too, who may fall out of Round 1 and may still be available with the 34th pick.
Plus, the 49ers would boast two extra shots at day-three prospects to round out their depth needs.
But it's Arizona's vantage point that helps drive the would-be trade home as realistic.
The Cardinals enter 2026 with quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, but after moving on from Kyler Murray, it's clear a franchise signal-caller has to be atop first-year head coach Mike LaFleur's wish list.
Alabama's Ty Simpson is widely viewed as the second-best quarterbacking prospect in this year's class behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, expected to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. But Simpson is substantially behind Mendoza on any reasonable big board, meaning he might be there then the Niners are on the clock at No. 27.
Leapfrogging other potential Simpson suitors is reason enough for Arizona to consider a trade-up from the 34th pick. However, the added bonus is by adding the quarterback in Round 1, the Cardinals would automatically get a fifth-year option for Simpson; such wouldn't be available to them if he ends up being drafted in Round 2.
It's not unlike what the Baltimore Ravens did way back in 2018 when they traded up into the tail end of Round 1 to grab quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Both parties would benefit from such a deal, so don't be shocked if something like this pans out if Simpson drops into the late 20s.