2020 NFL Draft: Five Trade Possibilities For The San Francisco 49ers

The expectation heading into next week’s 2020 NFL Draft is that the San Francisco 49ers will be extremely active on the trade market. They already pulled off one of the biggest deals of the offseason, sending All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick.

Boasting two first-round picks seems to be an ideal scenario for the defending NFC champs. That’s until we realize San Francisco does not have a second, third or fourth-round selection by virtue of the trades for Dee Ford and Emmanuel Sanders over the past year-plus.

General manager John Lynch will have to get creative. He needs to build up San Francisco’s draft-pick stockpile while still adding pro-ready talent to a championship roster.

It’s in this that I firmly believe the 49ers will trade down from either 13 or 31. There’s a decent chance they could move back from both spots. Here’s a look at a few potential trade scenarios heading into the start of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23.

Trade 13th Pick To The Las Vegas Raiders

Both the 49ers and Raiders are said to be targeting receivers early in the draft. Las Vegas boasts the 12th and 19th selections. The team can easily get one of the top players at that position simply by standing pat. Picking one spot above the 49ers helps in this regard.

Though, head coach Jon Gruden and Co. might have one specific player in mind at multiple positions. That likely includes Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson, who is rising draft boards and is now seen as a potential top-10 pick. There’s a dramatic drop off from Henderson to second-tier cornerback options such as Trevon Diggs (Alabama) and Kristian Fulton (LSU).

By moving up from 19 to 13, the Raiders address two big needs in that of former Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs and the above-mentioned Henderson. Having just run a 4.27 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Ruggs fits what Gruden looks for in a wide receiver.

While the 49ers might jump at the possibility of landing Ruggs themselves, the idea of moving down a half dozen spots makes sense. In return, San Francisco nabs an additional third-round pick (80th overall) and fourth-round selection (121st overall).

Looking at San Francisco’s need and the likelihood that it looks receiver early, LSU’s Justin Jefferson or Denzel Mims from Baylor could be an option at 19. It would still have that original first-round pick and two more mid-round selections to work with.

Trade 13th Pick To The Minnesota Vikings

Yet another team in need of receiver help after trading away Stefon Diggs, the Vikings could partner with the team they lost to in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. This would include Minnesota sending the second of its two first-round picks (25th) overall as well as a second rounder (58th) and third rounder (89th) to San Francisco.

It would certainly be a high price for the Vikings to pay. But if they can get someone like Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb for Kirk Cousins, it would be more than worth it.

From San Francisco’s perspective, this would almost be a no-brainer. It would still boast two first-round picks and only be lacking a selection in the fourth round. It’s a way to build up a deeper roster moving forward.

The 49ers could hold out hope that Jefferson or Mims is available at 25. There’s a decent chance one will be. If not, there’s a possibility of going another position of need with offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland from Boise State or former LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton. Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (Utah) and Trevon Diggs (Alabama) could also be possibilities.

Under this scenario, San Francisco uses the second-round pick it acquired in the hypothetical trade to bring in a lesser-known wide receiver prospect in that of Chase Claypool (Notre Dame) or Bryan Edwards (South Carolina). The 2020 NFL Draft is absolutely stacked at receiver. Expect Lynch and Co. to take advantage of that.

Trade 31st Pick To The Indianapolis Colts

Even after signing Philip Rivers to a one-year contract, it’s reasonable to believe Indianapolis will look quarterback early in the 2020 NFL Draft. The issue here is that this team gave up its first-round pick to San Francisco for DeForest Buckner.

There’s good news on this front for general manager Chris Ballard and Co. The Colts boast two second-round picks (34th and 44th overall). It could send the second of those selections and a third-round pick (75th overall) to San Francisco in an attempt to move up for either Jalen Hurts or Jacob Eason. Getting a fifth-year option on a rookie players’ contract adds to the value of moving back into the first round. That’s only magnified when it comes to the all-important quarterback position.

In return, San Francisco recoups the third-round pick it exhausted in the Sanders trade and only moves down 13 spots. This would enable the 49ers to go with luxury over need in Round 2 while adding a valuable top-75 pick.

Under this scenario, I would look for the 49ers to potentially add an elite running back option to team up with Raheem Mostert in the backfield. Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor or Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins make the most sense. In terms of pure talent, both are top-20 players in the draft.

Going luxury in this draft might not make sense given the 49ers’ lack of picks. With that said, they can go need in the first round and with that extra third-round selection acquired from Indy. Heck, Lynch could move that third-round pick to add more selections.

Trade 31st Pick To The Seattle Seahawks

If San Francisco finds a way to hit a home run at 13, it could afford a major trade down with the second of its first-round picks. Sure the Seahawks are odd trade partners, but they need to be proactive in adding at two core positions.

Seattle has struggled with pass protection from the tackle position and needs more of a pass rush out on the edge. General manager John Schneider and Co. could target one of those areas with their original first-round pick (27th overall). It could then send both second-round picks (59th and 64th overall) as well as change to San Francisco for the 31st selection. Neither the edge or tackle positions are deep in this draft. Moving up to acquire upgrades at both positions is essential for Seattle.

This hypothetical trade would give the 49ers endless possibilities. Two second-round picks to work with. The ability to address need with one selection while potentially moving down further with the other second-round pick. It’s something to think about.

Trade 31st Pick To The Cleveland Browns

The only trade possibility listed here that includes a player, San Francisco finally gets the star receiver head coach Kyle Shanahan has been targeting for years now.

The 49ers move their original first-round selection as well as underperforming wide receiver Dante Pettis for Odell Beckham Jr.

There would be a lot for the 49ers to work out here from a salary cap perspective. They are not in a great situation in that area. Even then, moving on from the combination of Tevin Coleman and Marquise Goodwin would make this work under the 2020 cap.

San Francisco’s plan would be simple in this regard. Teaming Beckham Jr. up with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle would make this team’s offense nearly unstoppable.

The great news here is that Lynch and Co. could then decide to move down from the 13th selection because wide receiver becomes lesser of a need. This would enable the team to pick up additional draft pick assets. The above-mentioned trade scenario with Minnesota would give the 49ers OBJ as well as a pick in every round outside of the fourth. Could you ask for more?