2020 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Open To Trading Both First-Round Picks

It’s been all about trade rumors surrounding the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers heading into the 2020 NFL Draft later this week.

Earlier on Monday, it was reported that San Francisco had placed multiple star players on the trade block. That includes Pro Bowl defenders Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander as well as stud safety Jaquiski Tartt. They join the likes of Nick Mullens, Matt Breida, Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis as other players on the block.

It makes sense in that San Francisco has no selections in Rounds 2-4 after picking twice in the first round. The 49ers gave up that draft capital when they dealt for the above-mentioned Ford and acquired the since-departed Emmanuel Sanders in separate trades over the past calendar year-plus.

In speaking to the media on Monday, 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed what most of us already knew. San Francisco is open to trading down from both the 13th pick (acquired in the DeForest Buckner deal) and its original first-round pick (31st overall).

Lynch talked about the need to acquire more draft picks. Though, he did note that if a foundational player is available at 13, the 49ers could stand pat. It likely won’t be to select an offensive tackle. Lynch also noted that the 49ers want a player that can contribute immediately with that selection. Given that Joe Staley is likely to return for the 2020 season, offensive tackle is not an immediate need at 13. Sure a tackle could play initially at guard, but that’s not a premium position to address at 13.

While Lynch is not playing his cards close to the vest here, he is making it known to other teams that both first-round picks are available. This is no small thing given the all-virtual nature of the 2020 NFL Draft due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trades will be hard to come by without language having been worked out ahead of the draft itself. Lynch is making it clear he’s open to dealing. This means he’s already engaged with teams who might be looking to trade up depending on how the top-12 picks turn out come Thursday evening.

Of those teams with potential interest in a trade up, the New England Patriots could very well look to land Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should rumors of a draft-day slide come to fruition. Under this scenario, New England would have to send its first-round pick (23rd) overall, a third-round pick and likely a first-round pick in next year’s draft to the 49ers. Lynch and Co. would be in a great position to pit teams against one another should Tua be available at 13.

As I focused on before, moving down from the 31st pick could make a lot of sense, too. Teams will want to get back into the late first round in order to acquire a fifth-year player option on a rookie deal. That’s no more true than at the quarterback position. Should Jordan Love (Utah State) and/or Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) still be on the board at 31, San Francisco would be negotiating from a position of strength.

One thing is clear. The 49ers are not going to wrap up the three-day NFL Draft making just seven selections. They will move up and down the board. They will trade multiple veteran players. Take that to the bank.