If it were up to me, I wouldn’t pick there

If I were a smart gambling man, I’d go with the “strength in numbers” mantra the beloved Golden State Warriors have adopted. Why settle for one top pick at one needed position when there’s more than one hole to fill in the bigger picture? With desperate needs at an edge rusher, a receiving threat, defensive backs, and arguably a couple other positions, why be complacent with just one spot per round?

So Let’s Talk

I’m in the driver’s seat and I’m negotiating with every team that has more than one draft pick in the first round. Someone wants Nick Bosa or Kyler Murray, and bad! I’m not going to just overlook the fact that we can’t establish a pass rush with the talent we showcased in 2018, but I will be thinking about 2020 at the same time. Breaking in three top picks in 2019 will be much more valuable to the franchise than settling for one impact player that may have an adjustment period or can be scouted in six weeks and alleviated as a threat with a decent scouting department. Yes, Bosa may require a double team at times in the season, but a larger OT with sound technique and hands could calm that storm. Kyler Murray is electrifying and would be a draft success for many teams looking for a franchise quarterback.

What if the offense was much stronger?

We do have one of the most respected offensive minds in the game in Kyle Shanahan. Let’s give this guy the tools to succeed in the role in which we wanted him, his offensive brilliance. With an elite wide receiving threat, the offense can put up numbers much better than the league average. The Indianapolis Colts during the Peyton Manning era made many playoff runs and sold many tickets with a high-flying offense that was built to score a ton. Not maximizing Jimmy Garoppolo by surrounding him with weapons is silly. You know how you do that? Acquiring more picks.

Just Wait For It! It’s Coming!

League wide there are still many proven impact defenders with contract negotiations looming for 2020. Just by starting the conversation about freeing up the cap hit for a noncompetitive franchise may stir the pot just enough to get what you ask for. There’s not enough talent or picks to completely right this ship through the draft alone, so we will have to make some hefty contributions through free agency. Top targets being Jacksonville Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey, Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green. Other pipe dreams include Von Miller, Jadeveon Clowney, and Everson Griffin. Once the offense has proven to be championship level, defenders will be more temped to come and compete for a Super Bowl title. Of course, most of those will never hit the market. as far as a trade goes, you never know if you don’t ask.

A Little Now and Later

This scenario would be great for the franchise not only now but later as well. We will be breaking in the new arrivals, and not just one at a time on offense, allowing room for growth and familiarity within the Shanahan offense. We also get stronger for a cheaper price with more draft picks rather than negotiating and meeting the demands of a player who has established a market value for themselves. The ongoing auditions we’ve held last season will shine more light on the players to keep and release and we know where to shop for our impact leader, that is nearing their prime and ready to lead the defense. That’s how the things would shake out if I were John Lynch’s shoes.