ESPN reporters, as well as John Lynch, don’t believe the 49ers will trade back.
Finding which sources are reputable and who isn’t is one of the most difficult things to parse through on the day before the NFL Draft. The Athletic’s Diana Russini told us that George Kittle wants to be the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, only for Kittle to correct her.
Russini also said, “The San Francisco 49ers are expected to stick and pick, hoping for an edge rusher,” in her draft blog. Do we discredit that information, too?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have their own draft notebook on the eve of the NFL Draft. They believe the Niners are standing pat at No. 11 and looking at a defensive lineman:
“The Texans (No. 25) are calling into the top half of the first round to potentially move up. While their target is unclear, one NFC executive predicts Houston is interested in Texas’ Banks, trying to solve a clear need at offensive tackle. Teams behind Houston are also hearing from GM Nick Caserio, so it’s possible the Texans are just doing their due diligence across the board. The Broncos (No. 20) are also looking to move up, as Adam Schefter noted. And while San Francisco (No. 11) has been linked to trade rumors, there isn’t much buzz around the 49ers making a move as of now. If San Francisco targets defensive line, the 11th pick is a good spot to find someone.”
49ers general manager John Lynch believes teams will stay put in the first round:
“I think early in the Draft, that’s what I feel a lot of people are going to end up staying put because everyone’s trying to do the same thing. I think every time we say that somebody throws a wrench in it, and then it’s kind of a free-for-all.”
A deal with DeMeco Ryans would take the 49ers out of the top defensive targets in the drafts range, but also equip them with an additional second and third round, or future first round pick — some combination of the two.
Earlier in the article, Fowler mentioned how the top defensive prospects could all come off the board before the Atlanta Falcons are on the clock at No. 15:
That means you could hear names such as Jalon Walker (Georgia), Mykel Williams (Georgia), Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Derrick Harmon (Oregon), James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Mike Green (Marshall) and Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) called early.
That would put the Niners in no man’s land, unless they had their sights set on another player. Trading back and landing a prospect the caliber of Ohio State’s Josh Simmons would be a home run.
Lynch said, “We’ve got a few guys” when asked if he had any players in mind for No. 11. The players mentioned above are unlikely to be around in the 20s, which is why it’s unlikely we see a trade back.
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