The 49ers own the No. 2 overall pick for the second time in the three-year Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch regime. Their first time came in their first draft with the team in 2017. That year they opted to move back one spot to No. 3 in a trade with the Bears. A similar move could be in order again this year.
San Francisco hasn’t actually used the No. 2 overall pick since 1965, and that streak has a very real chance to continue. The Jets pick immediately after the 49ers at No. 3 overall. Their needs are relatively similar, and the 49ers could leverage that into a nice haul of draft picks to move down one place.
This is all contingent on the Cardinals bucking conventional wisdom and selecting Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa instead of Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the first pick. However, if Bosa does go first, the 49ers are very likely content taking Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. Their need at defensive end also makes Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen an option as well.
If the 49ers can convince the Jets that they’re going to take Allen, and New York determines that he’s the best fit for their 3-4 defense, they may be willing to part with some draft capital in order to swap spots with San Francisco and ensure they get their much-needed outside pass rusher.
Lynch and Shanahan would then scoop up Williams while also amassing a few more selections in the 2019 draft. Their deal with the Bears in 2017 earned them the Bears’ 2017 first, third and fourth-round picks, as well as a 2018 third-round selection. A similar deal this year would be a much-needed injection of picks into a depleted 49ers war chest.
Of course, this scenario only plays out if the Jets are set on obtaining an outside pass rusher. They could be in a similar spot to San Francisco in that they’re looking for the best player available more than they’re looking for a position. Putting Allen above Williams on their draft board would be a pretty stark departure from most pre-draft analysis.
The door to this possibility is at least cracked, if not blown open in the event that the Cardinals do make Bosa the top pick. San Francisco will likely be less willing to do business if the Ohio State standout is available when they’re on the clock. If he’s gone though, expect the 49ers to try and trade back, even if it’s only one spot.
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