While the 49ers find themselves with more draft choices this year than the previous season, and with more holes for those draft choices to fill, it still wouldn’t be a surprise to see them negotiate back in the first round of No. 12 general choice. ESPN’s Todd McShay illustrated a scenario in which San Francisco returns to seek significant recruiting capital, but its selection is a little complicated.
An exchange would make a lot of sense for 49ers in a scenario where all four defenders go in the first four choices, which is how McShay’s simulation works. If San Francisco was going to stand still at 12 for a quarterback, it would probably need to be one of the best candidates, like Zach Wilson, Justin Fields or Trey Lance. The probability of having a QB because of one with the 12th choice seems low.
With no drop in QBs, the 49ers deal with the Bears. Chicago gets 12th choice in exchange for No. 20, No. 52 and a first or second round selection in the 2022 draft. This is a big effort for San Francisco to skip back eight places, where it would still choose among the top 20. It would also give them two choices in the second round that they could use to maneuver until the end of the first round, or agreement to get a choice in the third round after sending theirs to Washington in exchange for Trent Williams.
It all makes a lot of sense for San Francisco. Their choice through McShay is somewhat disconcerting, given their long list of needs. With choice # 20, the 49ers in McShay’s simulated sketch grab the security of TCU, Trevon Moehrig.
The 6-2 and 202 pound security could conceivably be a long-term response for the 49ers’ secondary, with Jaquiski Tartt going to the free agency and Jimmie Ward’s future uncertain beyond his contract, which ends after the 2022 season Moehrig is unlikely to play a cashier role like Tartt used to. If the 49ers choose him, it could signal a change in defensive philosophy, or a move from Ward to a nickel cornerback with K’Waun Williams qualified for free agency without restrictions.
Another player available in 20th position is Michigan’s defensive side, Kwity Paye, who goes to 21st place for the Colts in McShay’s simulation. Paye is a 6-4 and 272-pound defensive side who has amassed 16.5 tackles for defeat and 8.5 sacks in his 16 final games for the Wolverines. He is a good athlete with some versatility who could play well in a 49ers forward who is in desperate need of cutting edge help.
Although the player chosen with the choice can be debated and the team’s needs are likely to change after the free agency, this type of exchange can be expected if the offer is there. Unless 49ers believe there is an unmissable prospect at age 12, it would be up to them to step back a few points to get some drawing capital that gives them more flexibility on days 2 and 3 in a year, where they need to replenish their list with cheap newbie talent. .