The people have spoken.
We’re a month away from the 2019 NFL Draft. The dominating speculation leading up to April has been the Arizona Cardinals selection at first-overall, which has begun to lean towards Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray as of late. If that were the case, this would leave the 49ers, who are already set at quarterback, their choice of the consensus top three defenders left on the board. An ideal scenario for general manager John Lynch.
We put out a Twitter poll asking the fans who they’d prefer for the 49ers pick at No. 2 between Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, Alabama’s Quinnen Williams and Kentucky’s Josh Allen. Accepting an offer to trade back was also included. The results weren’t surprising:
If all four options are available to the #49ers at pick No. 2, which would you prefer?
— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) March 22, 2019
Bosa accounted for 69% (nice) of the votes in our poll. The Ohio State pass rusher has been the top player on nearly every reputable draft board throughout the entire offseason. Many 49ers fans were upset when unexpected wins against the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks late in the season knocked the team out of the running for the No. 1 pick. But with the Cardinals’ hiring of coach Kliff Kingsbury, who already professed his love for Murray while at Texas Tech, the draft world fully expects Arizona to gift the 49ers Bosa at second-overall.
If the Cardinals surprise and select Bosa, the 49ers will have their pick of Williams and Allen at No. 2. Both combined for only 16% of the votes in our poll and are considered the top defenders behind Bosa. Williams would land amid a crowded 49ers group of first-round defensive lineman as the fourth to be selected over the last five years. Allen, who led college football with 17 sacks in 2018, would likely fill the role of SAM linebacker on base downs while rushing the passer in sub-packages.
After trading for Kansas City Chiefs’ Dee Ford, helping address the team’s need for a pass rusher, the 49ers may feel they have the flexibility to entertain trade offers. This was the second-most popular option in our poll, earning 15% of votes. The value of the 49ers’ pick will skyrocket if the Cardinals pass on Murray. If Lynch isn’t entirely sold on his options at two, a hefty trade offer from teams looking to move up could prove too tempting to turn down. The 49ers only hold six picks in the draft and may be looking to add to their total both in 2019 and beyond.
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