Now that football is officially over, it’s time for endless checkers, professional days and free agent speculation. Most draft drafts have 49ers staying in position 12 and selecting a cornerback if one of the best quarterbacks doesn’t fall for them.
In The Athletic’s most recent draft, Dane Brugler has San Francisco negotiate with the New York Jets, acquiring Sam Darnold, switching from first round, while giving up on a future second round choice:
12. *** TRADE ***
The New York Jets receive:
Choice of the first round of 2021 (No. 12 overall)
2022 choice of second round
San Francisco 49ers receive:
Choice of the first round of 2021 (No. 23 overall)
QB Sam Darnold
There has been a lot of resistance to Darnold from 49ers fans. There is no doubt that Darnold will come with some headaches and play with much more variation than Jimmy Garoppolo. With the variance, come the turns and the bids lost.
You’ll also see Darnold avoid a free rusher and keep the Jets on schedule, playing with his athletics a few times per game. In addition, Darnold’s physical tools allow him to make shots that Jimmy can’t.
In the quick game, where Kyle Shanahan’s attack lives, this is where Darnold stands out. Connecting the dots as to why Darnold would fit with the Niners is easy to do. This is not simply a player-to-player exchange. You’re paying New York for a younger QB, but you’re also paying for Darnold’s contract.
Again, it is never as simple as “Player X is better than Player Z.” In this scenario, Darnold’s maximum number is below $ 10 million for 2021. That is from now on. After the negotiation, Darnold’s maximum number is about $ 5 million for 2021. Garoppolo’s maximum number is $ 26 million. Is there a $ 21 million difference between the two players? I don’t believe it, and I doubt the Niners either.
The acquisition of Darnold would give San Francisco the flexibility to continue building its list. Maintaining a choice in the first round is critical. Giving up on a future selection, which will almost certainly be in the mid-1920s, is smart business. Overall, the 49ers are ahead in this business.
As for the direction the team takes at number 23, Brugler asks Niners to select an edge rusher:
23. San Francisco 49ers (via NYJ) – Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
San Francisco was able to cope with the position of defender without completely leaving the first round. And with Paye still on the board, the 49ers add a player they could have considered if they stayed at No. 12. Although he is still a work in progress, Paye has the athletic characteristics and energy to be equally productive against passing and running.
I haven’t watched Paye, but I know that many people in the recruiting community are hurting him. Mike Renner of PFF told me that Paye is one of the lone rushers on this project that he believes to be worthy of a top selection.
Paye ended the season with a true passing score of 90.6 and a passing victory rate of 26.5%, which is double the high school average. Paye was No. 1 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list, where he drove a 6.5 6.5 3-cone:
He recorded the second best time of the team’s 3 cones with an impressive 6.37 seconds, which would have surpassed anyone on the 2020 harvester. Paye’s 40 is also moving at 4.57, with a solid 34-inch vertical and 30 bench press repetitions. Paye’s 40 time and 4.15 professional transport time are better than any D-lineman or advanced player who tested on the 2020 harvester. His 11.3 time on the 60-yard space shuttle is also elite.
If Paye runs a 4.5, forget that it lasts up to 20 years.
I’ve already talked about how 49ers need athletics on the edge, and it would be difficult to find someone more athletic than Paye. Most Scouting reports will say that he does not have a pass-rusher plan, but if he is already winning at a high rate, then the sky is the limit for Paye, especially on a defensive line where Paye would have one against one every week.
So, in this scenario, the 49ers give up on a second round choice for Darnold while switching from their first round choice to the Jets. They presumably negotiate / release Garoppolo to free up coverage space, which in turn allows them to sign free agents. San Francisco gets the most athletic advantage in the draft with the biggest advantage in maintaining the first round.
I’ll take.