It’s not often an NFL team gets the opportunity to acquire a seven-time Pro Bowl selection for a pair of draft picks outside of the first two rounds. But that’s exactly what general manager John Lynch pulled off when the 49ers traded for Washington tackle Trent Williams last month.
Williams had a messy ending in Washington, but his talent is undeniable. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski ranked it the No. 8 move of the NFL offseason.
Lynch had a feeling franchise icon Joe Staley could be calling it quits after the 2019 season, but the veteran didn’t finalize his decision until the week of the NFL draft.
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The Niners were able to secure a replacement for Staley on the same day he announced his retirement, a replacement many believe is an upgrade for the offense.
Keeping your quarterback upright is one of the most important facets of a successful attack, and Jimmy Garoppolo can sleep much better at night knowing that the void left by Staley’s departure absolutely has been filled.
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San Francisco 49ers
For the price of a fifth-round pick in 2020 and a third-rounder in 2021, San Francisco acquired one of the league’s best tackles.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay certainly thinks it was a good move for the 49ers, telling NFL Network he needed to go "drink a couple of more beers" after learning of the deal.
Ironically, the Niners’ trade of DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts ranked No. 4 on the list, as Lynch swapped the defensive lineman for the No. 13 pick. But there’s no question this move to snag Williams from Washington is at least a top 10 move of the offseason, possibly even higher than that if Williams doesn’t show any rust after missing all of 2019.