DeForest Buckner trade showed 49ers could deal anyone at right price

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The 49ers proved their point at the start of the new league year: Everybody is worth a price.

The 49ers dealt their team MVP, DeForest Buckner, to the Indianapolis Colts. The 49ers made the move to re-sign Arik Armstead at $4 million less per season than Buckner and gained the No. 13 overall pick in the NFL draft from the Colts.

Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, now a writer at The Athletic, reported Monday after “talking to teams around the league,” that the 49ers have made it known edge rusher Dee Ford, linebacker Kwon Alexander, safety Jaquiski Tartt and receiver Marquise Goodwin are available in trades. Each player can be had, Lombardi reports, “for the right price.”

There are very few players on the 49ers that are untouchable. Feel free to add the names of backup quarterbacks, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, as well as running backs Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida, and receiver Dante Pettis, to the list of players the 49ers would be willing to trade at the right price.

Ford is an interesting case because he is scheduled to earn $13.65 million this season. It became fully guaranteed on April 1, so another team would have to be willing to pick up that deal. The 49ers are not going to release him.

Also, Ford is a big part of this team’s plan because they do not have another dynamic pass rusher to take that spot. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said late last season that Ford “unlocks” the 49ers’ pass rush.

They were a good defense without him. But, if healthy, his explosiveness coming off the edge opposite of Nick Bosa gives the 49ers’ defense something it could not get from any other player on the roster.

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The 49ers restructured Alexander’s contract in November, so there’s not a lot of advantage to be gained on the salary cap by trading him. Alexander is scheduled to make base salaries of more than $12.5 million in 2021 and ’22, so perhaps they just want to get something in return before cutting him free after this season.

After all, the 49ers seem to have their long-term replacement already on the roster. Dre Greenlaw stepped in and played well as a rookie after Alexander missed the second half of the season with a torn pectoral.

Tartt is scheduled to make $4.3 million on the final year of his contract. The 49ers signed Jimmie Ward to an extension. They would have to find another starting safety among Marcell Harris, Tarvarius Moore and a possible draft pick.

Goodwin is set to make $4.5 million this season. It is hard to believe the 49ers will take any chances with the oft-injured Goodwin. If they can find any trade partner, they will do it. Otherwise, he is likely to be released before the 49ers are given the OK from the league to take the field in preparation for the 2020 season.

[RELATED: Report: 49ers' Ford, Alexander, others available for trade]

There is little question the 49ers will want to make some moves during the draft. After their two picks in the first round, the 49ers are not scheduled to select again until the fifth round.

This draft is expected to have quality depth at a few different positions of need for the 49ers, so they will look to add more selections at the right price.

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