The 49ers’ goal is to remain a contender year-in and year-out.
That seems reasonable. But what it also means is that the 49ers do not plan to every go “all-in” for one season without regard to how a move one year impacts the team in the years that follow.
The window is open for the 49ers, who let a 10-point fourth-quarter lead get away to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. The 49ers certainly are in contention to win a championship.
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And if there is ever a time to stock up at the expense of the next year, this could be that opportunity. (Perhaps not to the extreme of hoarding toilet paper, but you get the idea.)
Here are some mistakes for the 49ers to avoid in this week’s NFL Draft:
Avoid trades to acquire 2021 draft picks
Folks, let’s face reality: There might not be a college football season in 2020.
If college campuses are closed, there can’t be college football. Right? And if crowds are not allowed to pack stadiums and generate revenue, the TV contracts are not big enough to make sense for athletes who are not getting paid to play the games.
So, as we look a year down the road, there is at least a decent chance that the 2021 NFL draft will be a massive coinflip for talent. College-aged kids change so much in a year. The supposed draft boards entering a college football season rarely even resembles the finished product after another college season plays out.
That is why the 49ers can go ahead and deal a 2021 selection to pick up another selection this year, but it would be quite a gamble to build up more draft capital for next year.
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Do not lock onto one position
The obvious choice for the 49ers at No. 13 overall is a wide receiver. But the 49ers should not focus on just one position at any give draft slot.
It is always difficult when comparing players at different positions, but the 49ers have to determine which player is better. Which player fits the scheme -- offensive or defensive -- and can become more of an impact player over a long period of time and make players around him better.
So, yes, at No. 13, that player could be a wide receiver. But he could also be a cornerback, defensive lineman or offensive lineman.
It always is the best move to just take the best player. Team needs change from year to year. What you think might be a strength now could all of a sudden become a weakness with an injury or two. Best-player available -- at a premium position -- is always the best way to go.
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Think outside the box
Rarely does a draft turn out the way all of us on the outside project. And that’s OK. Anyone not connected with a team is working with only partial information and resources.
The 49ers should not rule out anything, including one thing in particular that goes against conventional wisdom.
The team has a full stable of running backs with Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida, Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson. Probably, only three of those halfbacks will have spots on the team’s 53-man roster. But what if the 49ers added a running back in the draft?
The 49ers had the fourth-ranked offense in the NFL last season, yet there was the impression that coach Kyle Shanahan never felt as if the offense was an unstoppable, dominant force. He did a great job of making the pieces fit and finding vulnerabilities in the defenses they faced.
Yes, the 49ers need another wide receiver this year to make a contribution. This is a deep draft of receivers. This also is a good draft for running backs. And the 49ers would like to add a third-down back who can run great routes and exploit matchups.
Maybe that player is McKinnon. But after he has been sidelined for two seasons due to his knee condition, there are no guarantees.
The 49ers need another route-runner/pass-catcher. Maybe that could take the form of one of the top running backs in this draft.
[RELATED: 49ers mailbag: Who's on the trade block as the 49ers approach the draft?]
Do not stand pat on Day 3
The 49ers enter the draft with seven picks. Five of those selections are scheduled to take place from No. 156 (fifth round) to No. 245 (seventh round).
[RELATED: King’s mock draft has 49ers trading back twice in first round]
Those late-round selections will have a very difficult time making this team. So the 49ers need to package most of those selections to move up to grab targeted players on Day 2 or earlier in Day 3.
Yes, the 49ers should definitely look to move back early in the draft to pick up draft capital for Day 2, but then they should use those picks in the sixth and seventh rounds to go get some players, too.