When the 49ers made the trade with the Chicago Bears two years ago to move back one spot in the NFL draft, there was some sense of mystery in their draft room. The 49ers were not sure if the Bears were going to select the player San Francisco would have taken in that spot.
Team executive Paraag Marathe figured the Bears were targeting Mitchell Trubisky because he felt it was unlikely a team would pay the price to move up that high in the draft to select a player at a position other than quarterback.
The 49ers had Solomon Thomas rated as the draft's No. 2 prospect behind Myles Garrett. Thomas still was available when the 49ers went back on the clock.
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Again, the 49ers have the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft. And, it seems logical, that if they have the opportunity to trade back, it would be with a team that has its eyes on a quarterback.
Another question is whether there is a team selecting in some proximity to the 49ers that would be determined to add a quarterback -- most likely, Kyler Murray. That would mean the Cardinals ultimately decide to go with a defensive player -- Nick Bosa or Quinnen Williams -- with the No. 1 overall selection.
If another team has interest in moving up to No. 2, the 49ers would be able to pick up at least a second first-round draft pick, giving them three selections within the first 36 slots in the draft.
If Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock want Murray fully assimilated for the Raiders’ move to Las Vegas in 2020, they certainly have the draft capital to make a deal with the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers
In such a scenario, the Raiders could send the 49ers their picks at Nos. 4 and 24 overall. The 49ers, most likely, also would acquire the Raiders’ fourth-round pick (No. 106) while shipping back a sixth-round selection (No. 176).
Then the 49ers could end up with Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen at No. 4, and perhaps pick up a top cornerback, such as Rock Ya-Sin of Temple or Washington’s Byron Murphy, at No. 24 overall.
The New York Giants are expected to select a quarterback who would be viewed as Eli Manning’s heir apparent at some point in this week's draft. The Giants wanted the 49ers’ pick at No. 2 in a proposed trade for Odell Beckham, but they were not willing to give up the No. 6 overall spot.
In order for the Giants to make a deal for the 49ers’ first-round selection, they would have to hand over their first-round picks at Nos. 6 and 17, along with a likely fifth-round pick at No. 132 overall.
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Perhaps the 49ers still could select Allen at No. 6. And at No. 17, the 49ers could think outside the box and pair tight end George Kittle with his former Iowa teammate, Noah Fant. The 49ers need another threat or two in the passing game, and No. 17 is likely too high for any of the wide receivers.
Here is a look at the 49ers' current list of picks for the NFL draft:
49ERS 2019 DRAFT PICKS
1. First round: No. 2 overall
2. Second round: No. 36 overall
3. Third round: No. 67 overall
4. Fourth round: No. 104 overall
5. Sixth round: No. 176 overall
6. Sixth round: No. 212 overall (compensatory)