It’s almost inconceivable that the 49ers would skip on selecting the best pass rusher available when they pick at No. 2 in the 2019 draft. That’s part of the reason why their reported interest in trading for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are so intriguing. They’d be moving down the board, and down the quality of edge rusher in a swap for the star wide receiver.
The Giants do trade up from the No. 6 spot in NFL.com’s latest mock draft, but they land one spot behind the 49ers who take advantage of Kyler Murray going No. 1 overall to snag Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that no trade talks have taken place between the 49ers and Giants. Rumors are swirling about San Francisco possibly moving from No. 2 to No. 6 in a trade for the star receiver.
Given the 49ers’ need on the edge, it’s difficult to imagine them executing a trade down with the possibility that Bosa will be on the board. Reuter specifically notes the Ohio State DE is the best player in this year’s draft class:
Bosa wasn’t the best athlete at the combine (though he showed real quickness), but he still is the best football player in the class.
It would be hard to justify a move four spots down the board if San Francisco really does think Bosa is the best player in the class and a can’t-miss prospect.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this year that a good pass rusher can impact the game as much as a good quarterback can. General manager John Lynch said the front office put together an aggressive deal for Khalil Mack. It’s easy to connect the dots and see they’re angling to find big upgrades in the weakest area of their roster. The No. 2 pick affords them the perfect opportunity to do that.
Perhaps they do wind up contacting the Giants about a trade and acquiring one of the NFL’s premier young playmakers. However, like Reuter’s mock draft, it’s hard to imagine they’ll forego the opportunity to select the top pass rusher in the 2019 draft class.
About the Author: Insidethe49
