Five things to know about the 49ers heading into the draft

Posted By on April 24, 2019

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Now, the 49ers actually have to win.

General manager John Lynch has received a pass for losing since he took over the 49ers’ front office in 2017, because he inherited a terrible roster, replaced most of the players and watched many of those replacements get injured. In two years under Lynch, the 49ers have averaged just five wins per season.

If the 49ers win five games in 2019, Lynch could get fired. The rebuild can’t go on indefinitely. He needs to draft multiple players this week who can help the 49ers win at least eight games next season.

Here are five things to know about the 49ers heading into the NFL draft, which stars Thursday night with the first round:

This article has 240 Comments

  1. Lynch wants Bosa so damn bad, and the Cardinals know it. They want him to shoot off his gun, but he’ll keep his powder dry. Either way he wins. The Cardinals aren’t fooling anybody!???

      1. It’ll be ok, Nick. The Bosa Constrictor will hunt quarterbacks down for the 49ers and then he’ll eat them!

        1. The Ford Bosa, you mean? If it turns out that way, I could live with that. But the Ford Allen will be better.

  2. I dont think the 49ers want Nick Bosa at all.

    The mock drafts have never been right on who the 49ers are picking before a draft.

    You should do a Periscope a couple of hours before the draft Grant.

  3. 10 things John Lynch should do. 4-27-17 7:44 am
    .
    1, Think strategically. Trading back is shrewd and smart, especially for a 2-14 (4-12) team that needs more bodies.
    .
    2. Be aggressive. leverage that number 2 pick into as many second and third round picks as possible. Maybe even trade back from 34 (36).
    .
    3. Avoid the ACL risks. Niners need immediate help and do not have time to let them heal. ACL players rarely ever come back at 100%, and tend to play tentatively, because they do not want to risk re-injuring their Knee.
    .
    4. Avoid the red flagged players. If lynch wants to rebuild the winning culture, he needs high character players. Mixon and Brantley should be radioactive, and off their draft board.
    .
    5. Make safe picks. Avoid unforced errors like picking players too small or too slow. ( Borland)
    .
    6. If there is a player the Niners covet, (and it will put them in the playoffs,) and he may be taken before they pick, spend an additional later round pick and move up. It would be worth it to get the player they want, and could be a good fit for the team. ( However, they should be patient, save their picks and wait until it is their time to pick, and not be desperate , wasting a pick that should have been saved.)
    .
    7. Make available every nonstarter as trade bait. ( Kilgore, Harold, Brown).
    .
    8. Do not make desperation deals. Do not allow teams to take advantage of the situation. Only make fair deals that both teams can profit from. (Do not help teams like the Patriots win another SB, by trading players like Brown to them).
    .
    9. Think about the future. Accept deals that include 2018 (2020) second and third round picks.
    .
    10. John Lynch should put on his Trader Bill Hat, and have fun.

    1. Hey Sebbie….

      You’re coming up short. JL should also avoid players who can’t keep their tongues tucked in. You’re on record saying that’s important.

      This is stone cold brilliant… “If there is a player the Niners covet, (and it will put them in the playoffs,) and he may be taken before they pick, spend an additional later round pick and move up.” So that’s how a trade-up is done–give up (spend) a later round pick. No team has ever tried that. Ever. You’ve earned your pop tart this morning. Bravo!

      Revisionist history? Borland had a reasonably good career–made brief through his own initiative. Remember how angry some fans became when he bowed out? Hmm? Mike Singletary back in the day was kinda small. So was Sam Mills. C’mon Sebbie, up your game. Bill W drafted some ‘classic’ sized LBs that did little.

      Try Bill W’s underwear. The hat is overrated.

      And BTW…. You don’t have as many Infinity Stones as you may think. The one stone you do have– ‘I’m good and I know it’ –is safe….no one else wants it.

      Have fun Sebbie!

      2. Typical Baalke stench.
        .
        Yes, the Niners have moved up both years, but they have not selected well. Foster, Joe Williams, for example. CJB and Pettis were examples of being impatient, and moving up, when sitting back, saving those picks, and still drafting that player at the assigned spot may have been the wiser course of action.
        .
        Borland bowed out because he was too small, and knew he would suffer brain damage if he continued. I am happy for him, he got to play, but he also can live his life not worrying about becoming another Nick Buoniconti. Borland was another failed Baalke pick, whose players showed no loyalty, because Baalke treated players like a piece of meat.
        .
        I almost forgot. If John Lynch wants a successful draft, he should ban Paraag from the Draft War Room. Paraag was the one who initiated all those trade ups, and other teams took advantage of his desperation to make a deal, because they did not respect him. John Lynch should assign Martin Mayhew as the point man for all the calls with other teams, and they do respect him, because he was a former GM. Paraag is just an ANALytics flunkie.
        .
        Additionally, John Lynch should give his scouts more say in the picks, and especially take Reggie Cobb’s notes seriously. Sure am glad they are asking his son to announce a pick, and I hope that pick is one Reggie Cobb recommended.
        .
        Paraag and his Baalke ANALytics should be shunted aside, and John Lynch should rely on his gut instincts derived from all his playing days, and he should channel Bill Walsh, who he knew well.
        .
        Typical Baalke stench, making fun of Bill Walsh, talking about his underwear. Have you no shame? In your zeal to attack me, you denigrate a HOF Niner legend. This is exactly what Baalke will be known for. His total lack of people skills, and his twisting the knife in the back, along with his leaks and smears.

        2. I’ve never understood fan’s irrational dislike for Paraag. All Paraag does is tell Lynch if he’s getting a good deal on a trade. If Lynch wants to trade up, he tells him what to pay. I the 49ers get a call from a team that wants to trade, Paraag negotiates the deal. Paraag Marathe is not the one initiating trades or making the player selections. The Niners “fleeced” the Bears a couple years ago. It’s not Paraag’s fault that Lynch selected Solomon Thomas with the #3 pick.

    2. 11. Remember that Paul Ogasawara (aka Seb) has experience plowing that field.
      Literally!

    3. This is NOT the year to trade back.

      This team needs another legit (and cheap) impact pass rusher. Ford is nice but if you can combine him with Buckner AND a Bosa/Allen, then you are a violent defense and the secondary will look good as a result.

      Remember they added Kwon Alexander (as well as Ford), Verrett, and Coleman/Matthews on offense.

      Add in the return of Jimmy and Jerick and its as if its a new team already.

      Draft Bosa/Allen, grab a big receiver (Boykins please), another DB, another TE, another Tackle to groom (2nd/3rd round), and throw in another position and you’re ready for the post draft/training camp cuts.

      1. Sorry to disagree. This draft class is loaded with good pass rushers, JL has filled all the holes in Free Agency, so he has way more flexibility. They could go BPA, and still get a pass rusher in the second or third round.
        .
        If they go big WR, I prefer Hakeem Butler or Lil’ Jordan Humphrey.

  4. My predictions.

    1. The niners will trade back… I don’t know that they will get as much as they would like in return but I believe they will move back.
    2. Bosa, Allen, Burns, Sweat will be gone within the first 15 picks.
    3. One of the niners first 3 picks will have people scratching their heads.
    4. Bosa or White will be DROY.

    1. Shoup – Those are very good predictions. The only prediction I’m not sure about is 1, but I hope it happens. Lots of rebuild accelerators picks 17-55.

      1. Thanks Brodie,
        These are just fun predictions based on my gut feeling.

        I’m personally fine with taking Bosa, Allen or Williams at 2… I don’t think any one of those players will be a bust. While I am not certain any of them will be the game changer Mack or Garrett are, I think all of those guys will be solid players (My guess is that, on the low end I think, Bosa will be an 8 sack a year guy, Allen will be an Anthony Barr Clone and Williams will be Gerald McCoy)

        1. “One of the niners first 3 picks will have people scratching their heads” – Bet the farm on that one!

  5. I wish to disagree with Grant. Ben Garland is 31 years old, and has started 4 games at guard, He has also played on the defensive line, but is, at most should be considered a camp body.
    .
    Hope the Niners select Chris Lindstrom. He was very stout in the Senior bowl practices.

    1. I hope the Niners concentrate on improving the O line. It will help JG stay healthy, and make the running game that much better. Improving the O line may help improve the offense.
      .
      By trading back, they can select an OG, OC and OT. Tomlinson tore his MCL, Richberg struggled with injuries, and Person did not grade out very well.

  6. Armstead’s 5th year option at $9 million GTD might make him hard to move.

    My favorite player at 2 is Traeder Von Backenlots. Lynch says the offer would have to be “too good to be true” to move back. I take that to mean at least chart.

    I have a sinking feeling Seattle grabs Savage at pick 29.

    I hope something kooky happens this draft. Like Laremy Tunsil’s bong plunge. Every draft should have at least one bong plunge.

    This draft will be about about how the 49ers self scout. Pick 2 might be a referendum on Thomas and/or Armstead. Pick 36 will say alot about how Lynch really feels about 49ers defensive backs and receivers.

    Or maybe not. Reasoned extrapolation is not the same as knowledge. I don’t know what Lynch is thinking.

    Don’t be surprised if Lynch McGlinchys us again. I’m thinking 36 or 67 will be the McGlinchy spot. We’ll feel “blah” about the pick, as if someone drained the bathtub before were were ready to climb out. We’ll cheer up later when we find out he worked the night shift at an instant potato processing plant to put his sister through taxidermy school.

    We will argue alot if Bosa goes at 2. We will argue alot if Lynch takes someone else at 2.

    Grant has put out lots of great pre-draft content. I don’t always want the same player, but that’s not important. Grant is winning the pre-draft.

    Baalke picked terrible players, but from a process standpoint he’s light years ahead of Lynch.

    1. Nice write-up wait for the overreaction on the board no matter who is picked at 2. :D

    2. Fantastic analogies B2Dubs…..i’m feeling excited Draft and Avengers the same day!!!!!!!! Let’s go!!!!!!!!!

  7. I have no idea who the 49ers will pick. Probably will be Bosa or Allen but a trade back wouldn’t bother me at all. I get the sense that Lynch/Shanahan pride themselves on appearing smarter than the other teams or draft experts. You hear comments like, “We had CJ Beathard as our highest rated QB in this draft.” Or something similar to that. Lynch and Shanny seem to like to be the guys who hit on players no one else considered. I asked this board in the last draft if Mike McGlinchey was good enough to be drafted at #9 and everyone said no but the 49ers didn’t see it that way. I saw very few mock drafts where the 9ers selected MM. Everyone said the 9ers neglected their positions of need with that pick. Because of Lynch/Shanny’s seemingly “I’m smarter than you” attitude I expect the 49ers to do something unexpected. If you gave me Bosa, Allen, Trade Back, or the field with the #2 pick – I would take the field.

  8. Grant,
    What sort of compensation (draft picks) do you think the 49ers could receive if they traded Armstead Vs what sort of draft pick compensation would they receive if Armstead was signed as a FA next year?

    1. Also do you believe that Gould will be traded during the draft and if so what do you think they will get for him?

        1. Niners should ask for a 4th, and accept a 5th round pick, and reward Gould for his stellar service, and his desire to be with his family. But now, with his insistence to be traded, the Niners should insist on a 4th round pick.
          .
          Bears are desperate for a decent kicker. It cost them games. They blew it even more by signing a kicker named Blewitt.

        2. Well, if the Bears (or any other team) believes that Gould could likely be the difference between winning 3 or 4 games they’d otherwise lose during the season — and perhaps a playoff game or two — then he’s conceivably worth a second or even late first pick. And they’d be justified in thinking so. Other than a QB or generational defensive player like Lawrence Taylor, what other single player will make a 3 or 4 game difference — and likely very reliably over several years?

          1. Well, if the Bears really want him, they can give the Niners 2 first round picks, so anything less would look better to the Bears. Maybe a second would be acceptable to the Bears because they have the Raiders 2020 second round pick. However, they do not have a 2020 third round pick.
            .
            I think a 4th round pick is fair. Maybe the Bears can hold tryouts for Kicker, aside from Gould, then trade the kicker who is the most accurate, to the Niners, at the end of the preseason.

  9. What team or teams will make the biggest head scratching moves today?
    I nominate 3 teams; the Raiders, because Gruden falls in love with certain players regardless of what others think. The Jets because they seem to make moves which make no sense every year. The Bengals because their bottom line is more important than a quality team so they tend to go cheap.

  10. Which 49er player gets traded this year? Thomas, Armstead, Gould or someone else?

  11. Bosa – drafting for need

    Williams – drafting the best player

    never draft for need…….

    3. One,
      Bosa is considered by many to be the best player in the draft.
      I view it like this.
      Bosa, fills a need.
      Bosa, best player in the draft.
      Win, win.

  12. First Round Predictions:

    1. If the Niners don’t trade back, it will be Bosa or Williams. Allen is out of the conversation.
    2. If the Jets don’t trade back, it will be Ed Oliver even with Quinnen Williams on the Board.
    3. If the Raiders really want to do something “crazy,” they will be the team that trades with the Redskins for the Redskins 1st, 2nd, and second 3rd round picks this year, and next year’s 1st and 3rd round picks. At 15, the Raiders will take Rashan “I am a bust, but that’s what the Raiders do” Gary. Redskins will take Haskins.
    4. Denver will not take a QB in round 1.
    5. Giants will pray Daniel Jones falls to pick 17.
    6. Dolphins will not take a “future starter” QB this year, and will wait for next year’s class.
    7. Seattle’s first pick will be a pass rusher, and unfortunately for the Niners, pick 29 will be Darnell Savage (Brodie2Washington is right).

    “Opinions are like a**holes; everyone has one, and everyone thinks their’s don’t stink.”

  13. Word is the Niners are shopping Thomas. Crap! That means Williams is their target. They must know Arizona is grabbing Bosa

    1. Not necessarily true ninermd, Thomas was expendable with or without Williams being the plan. Thomas was already buried on their current depth chart on the interior, and I’ve heard they feel like they may have something special in Kentavius Street.

      1. I hope so. They need to give the interior drafts a rest.
        Just don’t think Williams will be the sack guy we need. I think he will get pressure, but can he finish???
        5 sacks is weak.
        And I’m sure he will be very good vs the run, but we need sacks right now instead of run stoppers

  14. Question for all. What prospect would make your head explode if the 49ers took him with the second pick of the first round? Exclude Q. Williams, Bosa, and Allen from your answers; think outside of the box. It can be a prospect that you believe will pan out but should taken lower, or it could be a prospect which you are expecting to be a bust.
    The prospect that would make my head explode at the second pick is D.K. Metcalf.

    1. Can’t exclude Williams for me. Not a fan at all.
      It’s one guy who they will pick. Why? Because I don’t want him. ?

      And now they’re shopping Thomas. Which means…….

      1. Watch the 49ers trade him to the Patriots and Thomas proceed to have a breakout year.

            1. Yeah, he seems like a good kid so I wish him success. But if he does have a huge year, I hope it’s with the 49ers.

  15. The fall of the King, and Kocurek’s assessment is in:
    ProFootballTalk
    ✔
    @ProFootballTalk
    Just heard 49ers are shopping Solomon Thomas, the third pick in the 2017 draft.

    613
    11:58 AM – Apr 25, 2019

    1. If true, then that means one or two things.

      1. There is fire behind the statement from Bosa saying that he was told that he was going to be the top pick.
      2. The 49ers are planning on taking Williams with the second pickno matter what prospects are still available or trade offers they receive.

    2. If 49ers trade Solomon Thomas, the 2017 draft will go down as one of the worst drafts in 49er history. I guess maybe Kittle could bump up the ranking a bit but 2 first round picks that aren’t on the team 2 years later. I mean, My God, that is an awful draft. I found these articles to be pretty humorous.

      https://ninernoise.com/2018/01/31/john-lynch-one-year-later-49ers-gm-aced-first-nfl-draft/
      https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/04/2017-nfl-draft-grades-picks-analysis-results

      1. Lynch has a great opportunity to make some good moves and undo a lot of the stink from that draft. I don’t think he can do it but the potential for it to happen is there. He’d need to do the following:

        1. Draft Williams
        2. Flip Thomas for no less than a 3rd rounder.
        3. Use whatever pick(s) he gets for Thomas and ends up with at least one player that can start at their position.

        The first step is easy. Even Lynch can handle that part, although he’s also fully capable of screwing it up too. However step 2 and 3 will be hard, even for a good GM. So, it’s possible but I doubt it’ll happen.

        1. I just can’t imagine Lynch getting a 3rd rounder for Thomas. Seems like a 5th or 6th is more reasonable.

          1. Pretty much agree…a 4th rounder at the very best, more likely a 5th. Wouldn’t be shocked if there are no takers and Solomon remains a 9er into training camp.

    1. Not even close to true. The worst pick by far has been RB Joe Williams. The kid had plenty of chances, but he simply did not want it.

      2. ?

        1. Quinnen Williams DT
        2. TRADE back to mid 2nd(add 4th + 2020 4th) – Andy Isabella WR
        2. TRADE up in 2nd (give 4th)- Chase Winovich EDGE
        4. Marquise Blair FS
        5. Foster Moreau TE
        6. Oli Udoh T
        6. Keelan Doss WR

        6. Jake Bailey P

          1. Thanks, fellas.
            Wondering what to make of Solomon being on the trade block. Seems like it leaves the door open for drafting Quinnen or Bosa.

      3. Well, we’ll see what they can recoup for him, but right now, Thomas sits at number one in my book for the simple reason that, he cost the 49ers the 3rd overall pick. Teams learn to live with 4th round picks that don’t pan out, that happens more often than people realize, but you simply cannot afford to miss on a top 5 pick, which is where you should typically be able to find blue-chip talent, and remain competitive for very long.

        Sure, they did goat Arizona into moving ahead of them and that softened the blow just a bit, but it doesn’t change the fact that a team desperate for blue-chip talent, swung and missed on a top 3 fricken pick. And, BTW, one of my biggest gripes is that they should have known Thomas was a big gamble, because undersized interior lineman are a dime a dozen, and rarely ever worth a top 20 selection, let alone a top 3 pick!

        1. The Niners may recoup their loss by getting a decent draft pick for Thomas. Foster caused lots of headaches, was also a first round pick, and the Niners got nothing for cutting him. Foster was the worst pick, hands down.
          .
          Maybe the Niners could trade Thomas for Chris Harris, and a draft pick.

          1. Foster is number 2 in my book for the simple reason that, the talent was/is undeniable, IMO, and the 49ers were in great need for a game changing ILB, whereas Thomas was a player without a defined position to begin with, and they still spent the 3rd overall pick to get him.

            We’ll see.

            1. Thomas has helped the run defense, and has played decently. If the Niners trade him away, they will get something for him, unlike Foster, who disappeared like a puff of smoke.

              1. Let’s just agree that they were both big mistakes Seb, and a case can be made either way?

                Hopefully they can mitigate this mistake, and can recoup something decent in return for Thomas – aka – an undersized interior defensive lineman.

              2. Sure.
                .
                It also depends what they can get for Thomas. If it is a second round pick, the Foster deal was worse. If they can only manage a 5th round pick, the Thomas deal looks worse.

    2. Hmmm, my trade proposal to Denver may come true. Whitner said Thomas was playing out of position, and would fit a 3-4 scheme better. Fangio is a 3-4 savant, so he may want Thomas. Thomas may thrive in a different system, on a different team.
      .
      Thomas was not their worst draft pick. Foster was. Thomas has actually played well, and helped stop the run. His main problem was that Thomas was taken out on pass plays, so he had little chance to sack the QB.
      .
      Foster was the absolute worst pick. A first round pick with unwelcome drama, that disappeared like a puff of smoke.

    3. Only took them two years to admit what most of us knew already on draft day. They should have never drafted him.

        1. Look at it this way. How many players from 2017 can you honestly say you’re glad John Lynch drafted? Anyone higher than someone in the fifth round?

          Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford
          Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
          Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
          C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
          Joe Williams, RB, Utah
          George Kittle, TE, Iowa
          Trent Taylor, WR, Louisiana Tech
          D.J. Jones, DT, Ole Miss
          Pita Taumoepenu, LB, Utah
          Adrian Colbert, CB, Miami

      2. I think the Solomon Thomas situation is the perfect illustration of John Lynch’s lack of experience as a GM. The issue isn’t that Lynch drafted Solomon Thomas with the 3rd pick overall. Every year GM’s select someone in the top 10 that ends up being a bust. It’s just a fact of life. The issue that shows Lynch is inexperienced is his willingness to trade Thomas. Doesn’t Lynch know trading the #3 pick after only 2 years exposes himself as a poor talent acquirer? GM’s are supposed to hold onto top 10 picks throughout their rookie contract even if they are absolutely horrible to shield themselves from criticism for making a bad pick. This is the exact strategy Jed York will use in his decision to retain Lynch as the GM. York won’t want to expose himself as a horrible organizational manager that hires unqualified people for the job. It’s the exact same reason Obama won a 2nd term. We the People didn’t want to admit making a mistake. Lynch may be unemployed before he learns this valuable lesson.

        1. Doesn’t Lynch know trading the #3 pick after only 2 years exposes himself as a poor talent acquirer?

          Well, can’t blame the man for public honesty. He *is* a poor talent acquirer, particularly in the draft. And it’s not like everybody doesn’t already know it.

  18. Yesterday, I proposed a blockbuster trade. Solomon Thomas, Nick Mullens, Ahkello Witherspoon and Joshua Garnett, for the Broncos number 10 first round pick, a 2020 second round pick, and Chris Harris.
    .
    That trade is looking better all the time, especially if the Niners could select Hockenson TE with that pick.

    1. Your proposed trade with Denver–as detailed by you–will look great, until it doesn’t go down… Will you blame Lynch?

      1. Hmmm, does this mean they are reading my posts? I proposed a trade of Thomas, and the next thing we hear is of, is a possible trade of Thomas. What an amazing coincidence.

        1. Ha ha ha!. Your post follows…

          “Yesterday, I proposed a blockbuster trade. Solomon Thomas, Nick Mullens, Ahkello Witherspoon and Joshua Garnett, for the Broncos number 10 first round pick, a 2020 second round pick, and Chris Harris.”

          Your post above does not equal “I proposed a trade of Thomas, and the next thing we hear is of, is a possible trade of Thomas. What an amazing coincidence.”

          Ha ha! Claiming credit. Ha!

            1. You will be judged on the four player bundle you offered: Solomon Thomas, Nick Mullens, Ahkello Witherspoon and Joshua Garnett,

              No cherry-picking. Not just Thomas. You said four. Allllllll four.

          2. I predicted that Seb would take credit for something involving the draft! I was right!

            Do I get a cookie?

              2. *knew
                .
                I have claimed last month that I was the first poster on this site to predict that Kyler Murray would be the first pick of this draft. That was met with howls of derision, but it looks like I will be getting the last laugh.
                .
                Of course, there are now rumblings that he may fall to 4.

        2. Hmmm, does this mean you are reading my posts? I said they should have never drafted him and the next thing we hear is of you suggesting they should trade him. What an amazing coincidence.

          1. Going from not drafting him to trading him is a big leap, but if they do trade him away, I will give you kudos for not wanting him, anyways.
            .
            Just like I expect you acknowledging that I made a good call.

        1. It’s very exciting.

          I should have mentioned above that, from my perspective, it might be a bad deal for Denver. We’d be getting the right to sign a still elite CB plus two very high draft picks, so maybe two rookies who could start right away in their respective years. For Elway, if Fangio thinks Thomas could start for him, there’s reason for him to think about it. And in Mullens he’d be getting a proven starting QB who might be a good starter, more food for thought. But the other two don’t move the arrow, as they say. Let’s be frank about Garnett. He might be on his way out of the League. And Witherspoon’s borderline PS, imo, and has a lot to prove. So I think it would come down to an older but still very good CB and let’s say two likely starters for us versus Thomas and Mullens for them. If they’re hot on Mullens and Thomas as two starters, they might do it I guess.

          1. George, good points.
            .
            However, Derek Wolfe has had injury issues, so Thomas is good insurance.
            I am counting on Witherspoon being coached up by Fangio, just like Thomas.
            Harris is 30, so he is not in their long term plans.
            I will totally concede your point on Garnett, but the Broncos mention Guard as a position of need in this draft.
            Also, this would be a good way to get rid of Headache Harris, with a young replacement.
            .
            I think it is a win/win, because Thomas, Witherspoon and Mullens all started last season.

      1. Very good!

        Sebbie feels that Nick’s ‘football daddy’ (now on the Broncos staff) makes it certain Mullens will be a Bronco this season.

      2. Broncos saw Mullens defeat them last season. Flacco has regressed the last few years and was benched last season, so he is on thin ice. Mullens would be good insurance if Flacco falters.
        .
        Rich Scangarello groomed Mullens while being the QB coach for the Niners. He loves Mullens like a son. Mullens even looks like his son. Now that Scangarello is the OC of the Broncos, he may not be totally sold on the aging Flacco.
        .
        CJB, hopefully, will not see the field, and JG can lead the Niners all season. CJB is a good backup because he knows the system and playbook well. However, I think the Niners should sign a QB this season, too, for competition.
        .
        Obviously, you do not see the value of obtaining the number 10 pick in the draft. I do. I also see the value of obtaining a 2020 second round pick, because the Niners do not have one, with the Dee Ford deal.
        .
        It would be a win/win deal for both teams, and possibly help both teams get back into the playoffs.

          1. 4-12 Niners with their third string QB and rookie Defensive backfield.
            .
            Mullens carved them up in the first half.

    4. If lynch pulled that trade off he should get GM of the year right now… he would essentially give up a 4th, 5th and 6th round value to get 1st, a 2nd, and Chris Harris. Yeah, I’d take that.

  19. Via Grant…
    ‏
    @grantcohn
    Follow Follow @grantcohn
    More Grant Cohn Retweeted ProFootballTalk
    Seems the 49ers plan to draft an interior rusher with their first pick.

      1. May be more drama over the next few hours. Pehraps a Sebbie inspired multiplayer package…a ten player bundle passed off to an AFC team.

      2. Nashville’s not far from the infamous New Madrid Seismic Zone. Earthquake tonight…M7.5?

          1. Remember, Bakersfield hosts the NFL draft in another few years. Bakersfield vs Nashville….

  20. With the 2nd Pick:

    2. The San Francisco 49ers exchange picks with the Jacksonville Jags, obtaining
    their 2019, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 2020 3rd round pick for San Francisco’s 2019 1st Rd and 2020

    With the 7th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the 49ers select, DE, Montez Sweat, Miss. St.

    2. 49ers trade their 2nd and 3rd round picks for Houston’s 23rd pick and select, CB, Greedy Williams, LSU.
    2. (via Jags) 49ers select WR, N’Keal Harry, AZSU
    3. (via Jags) 49ers select FS, Amani Hooker, Iowa
    4. LB, Tre Lamar, Clemson
    4. ( Via Jags) WR, Antonio Gandy Golden, Liberty (NFL comparison–Mike Evans)
    6. OLB, Malik Reed, Nev
    6. CB, Jimmy Moreland, James Madison

  21. Would love to see the 49ers trade back out of #2 but it’s not going to happen. The team that others looking for a QB will want to jump ahead of is Oakland. New York at 3 is the prime spot for a trade back.

    1. Jack, crazier things happen with a gun to your head.

      Most NFL teams aware of your exact words, could panic and jump ahead of NYG.
      Execs in Jacksonville are tacitly showing Bortles the door–they will panic at other QB needy teams—(I’m hoping).

      1. *The Jaguars’ Blake Bortles Bet Failed Spectacularly

        *https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/11/27/18113856/blake-bortles-benched-jacksonville-jaguars-ineptitude

    2. I think you’re right about that. No one’s going to think there’s a chance in Hell we’re going to pick a QB. And you could probably say the same for the Jets. Oakland might end up with the harvest.

        1. Ok, I re-thought my argument, you’re right. You’re saying that teams will want to trade with the Jets and not us because it will cost them less. Is that the gist of it?

  22. On the matter of teams panicking…

    Grant has made an air-tight case (on more than one occasion) that Lynch and Shanahan panic. Given that, we can expect panic from the 9ers over the next couple days.

      1. For you it’s a guess, not for some one whose played the game.

        Try harder! Your anger that he makes Doss expendable and bad–very bad for a 6th rounder–is obvious.

      2. With you, I do not need to try at all. I wonder why he was not even invited to the Combine….
        .
        While I think Keelan Doss could help the Niners win a ring, I also have them drafting a WR early, and Doss with their last pick.
        .
        You played the game? Figures. Your writing exposes the fact that you took too many blows to the head. Please seek help.

        1. Blows, Sebby?…That white phosphorus you blew up on the school playground for the elementary students must have been the coup de grace of the school’s ‘show and tell’ history!!!

  24. I think the Cardinals and Raiders are going to swap picks. Would explain their(Cardinals) attempts to distance themselves from Murray(the other reason being to build trade value for Rosen) as well as the Raiders recent attempts to plug all potential leaks and the news that they are planning a “surprise” move today.

    Question is, will the trade involve Carr and draft picks or just picks?

    I think the Cards can make that trade and still end up with Bosa. It would go:

    1. Raiders-Murray
    2. 49ers-Williams
    3. Jets-Oneil
    4. Cards-Bosa

    What a draft day coup for the Cardinals if they ended up with Carr, Bosa and some extra picks. Regardless of how you feel about those two players(i’m not a huge fan of either) that would still be a huge day for them. They’d get an NFL starting QB, a boom/bust edge prospect plus an extra pick or two. Wow, that’s a huge first round.

    1. If you think the Cardinals are going to pass on Murray, who has been operating Kingsbury’s system since high school, where he went undefeated and won a state championship; I’ve got a buyer in LA for 100 tons of road salt….

        1. Disagree. They hired Kingsbury for a reason, and Murray is it. It’s so obvious, I can’t believe you don’t see it.

          1. Hiring Kingsbury before Murray had even committed to playing the sport makes that a little less obvious of a situation.

            If Murray had chosen to go to the A’s were the Cardianls going to fire him? ;)

            1. So you want me to believe that the Cardinals hired Kingsbury, who was fired from a college program and had no interest from any other NFL teams, that has a relationship with Murray, knows him extremely well; didn’t have a clue as to Murray’s plans? Uhm…no.?

              1. Say that Kingsbury “had no interest from any other NFL teams” is false. He had an interview set with NYJ.

              4. Way too much risk involved in that scenario. Murray goes to the A’s and the whole plan goes out the window. Murray choosing baseball was still a very real prospect when Arizona tagged Kingsbury, they had to hire him knowing it was possible that they weren’t going to end up with that player. Which makes it possible they’re willing to not take him if they can get a deal that offers them a staring NFL QB and another player they might possibly covet as well.

              5. Have there ever been any reports generated by agents to drive up interest in their client? Sounded like a classic move to me, because he never actually had any other visits, did he?

              6. Raz,
                I wonder what the odds are that Murray could possibly return to baseball if he isn’t picked by the Cards.

                After all the noise Arizona has made about Murray being their guy it would be hugely disappointing to Murray if he was only being used as a carrot. At that point, the Oakland A’s might look very attractive.

              7. AES, not gonna happen. Murray is their guy, and Keim put himself in an untenable position when he hired Kingsbury. I mean, you can give the guy an A for effort to try and muddy the waters but he put himself in a box as soon as he hired him….

              8. And being an A’s fan AES
                I’d love to see his slip and slip and now slip and slip.
                Bummer because I’m also a Sooners fan.
                But I have no respect for someone who made a commitment and welched on it.

              9. But I have no respect for someone who made a commitment and welched on it. /strong>

                Good, cuz we’ll be playing against him twice a year for 5 years.

              1. Do you and CFC have any wagers in mind? I’d like to place a bet with you two that Murray will be the Cardinals selection. Any takers?

              4. Razor you’re grabbing this and running a little too hard with it. I’m just throwing out a possibility. I believe it’s still more likely that the Cards stay put and take Murray.

              6. CFC, I agree that Murray was the Cardinals pick as soon as Kingsbury was hired. You think Murray was going to pick baseball over being the #1 pick to play quarterback in his system? You might not know him as well as Kliff does….

              7. Why not Seb-a-niah? If I win I get your legendary status for a day, and if you win, I’ll send you some of my latest strain. Blues Glues.?

              8. Because I also think Murray is going number one.
                .
                However, I am salivating over your special strain….

      3. I saw Kyler Murray play in multiple state championship games in Texas. He was an amazing high school football player but even in High School he looked small. The greatest high school QB I’ve ever seen play was Charlie Brewer from Lake Travis but Murray wasn’t far behind. Brewer is now the QB at Baylor. Anywho, Murray played for Allen High School near Dallas. They are the largest high school in Texas with over 5k students. Their marching band has around 800 kids and when they line up they go from end zone to end zone. I’m not a proponent of large student populations because it takes opportunities away from athletes who might be able to actually see the field at most other schools. Allen can field a starting offense and defense where more than half the starters will play college football. So you really have to be a great player to start for Allen High School. Kyler Murray was the starting QB as a freshman for Allen and he literally never lost a game his entire high school career. Pretty impressive.

        1. Thanks for that. Kingsbury couldn’t go into a lab and create a player that’s a whole lot better fit than Murray.

  26. Recall the meaningless/meaningful debate… When do 2019 draft outcomes become meaningless? Do they ever achieve meaningful status to begin with?

    Is the draft meaningful when it’s conducted on a speck of rock hurtling abound a G-type main-sequence star (sun), near the outer edge of a galaxy, in a universe having billions and billions of galaxies? To a subset of organisms on a planet called Earth, there is some meaning perhaps–if only fleeting.

  27. If Thomas is a bust as you say he is and Armstead is only so-so, then Williams does fill a need.

    1. f-seattle

      WHOOPS, THERE IT IS: BullsEye—And taking the double teams away from Buckner is the elephant in the room most Niner fans miss….Quickest way to the QB—a straight line.

      It would be nice to hold a party in the oppositions backfield again.

  29. One disagreement. John Lynch will not be fired. Regardless of what the Niners record is. I give John York credit for the one thing in sports that’s never being done, letting a coach and GM start and finish what the set out to do. If this was any other team the gm would have fired Kyle after last year. Because nobody gets to see the fruits of their labor anymore. These guys have 6 year contracts and for once, an owner is staying out of the way and letting them work. They knew how hard this was going to be, especially a complete tear down. Not a rebuild, or a replace, or a reload. They gutted this thing like they were building a new house from scratch. Now if the GM had full Trent Balkee power then the HC probably would have been fired last year as well. But they are a team. In my opinion Grant, John and Kyle are tied at the hip for 6 years and that’s when York will evaluate their future. Again, in sports, that’s unprecedented.

    2. The Yorks have never kept a HC for the duration of his contract. I believe it’s the same with GMs. What makes you think it’s different now?

      2. That these two are still here. Every year you hear york talking during the season, he’s actually staying behind closed doors for once. And letting these guys do football.

          1. Razor I suck… it’s thunderstorming here. Could not make day one… Will be there day 2.

            1. Looks like a helluva crowd, said to be 300,000. I’ll look for you to yell Niners! Niners! Niners! In round 2, have a good time Steel!?

  30. Ian Rapoport
    ‏
    Verified account

    @RapSheet
    Follow Follow @RapSheet
    More
    If the #AZCardinals have made a decision on No. 1, they are keeping it quiet. Source said GM Steve Keim reached out to at least one player — #Bama DT Quinnen Willliams — to let him know he’s still a possibility to go first overall.
    11:02 AM – 25 Apr 2019

    Reply: Shanny/ Lynch have their tales between their legs after whiffing on Thomas and Foster in RD 1 !

    Williams is widely regarded as the best player in the draft and comes w/o an injury hist., something Bosa lacks.

  33. For those old enough….remember the days of following the draft by way of radio when sports reports were hourly, and one had to wait for evening TV sports–maybe a 2 minute piece on the draft–and the next day’s paper.

  34. If the niners trade Thomas and select Williams should we send someone over to Razor’s house to check on him?

    I personally prefer selecting a DE and like Bosa the best but don’t hate Williams or Allen. However, I think the drop off at DT is not nearly as big as it is at the DE, and Oliver might even be a better fit for the big end than Williams or Wilkins as an NT… so in that case, I would prefer trading back.
    At DE, I like Bosa and Allen better than all the other guys by quite a bit.

    1. Yea, that’s cute and all but I’ve already stated from the beginning that Bosa or Williams is fine with me. Allen at 2 would piss me off. But, I’d like to offer you a bet and you can name the wager. I’ll bet you that Lynch runs to the podium after the Cardinals take Murray, and Nick Bosa’s name will be on that card. What do you say?

        1. Seb won’t be happy that Bosa’s onboard.

          Bosa’s twitter account of Kaep as “UnAmerican” just made him Seb’s next stalker victim, now that Kaep’s gone!

          1. I could care less about his political or religious persuasions unless said persuasion holds a belief of not harming qbs.

      2. I wouldn’t take that bet? I think its either a Bosa or a Trade back with both having about a 45% chance of happening IMO.

        Your and my disagreement is more in relation to Allen vs Burns.

        If you really want to make a bet we can do a friendly avatar bet.

        1. What are your thoughts on the Thomas trade rumor? Is there a chance that it’s a counter ploy to the Cardinals one of trying to get Lynch to move up?

          1. I think its a possibility but I would disagree with the move.

            I didn’t love the Thomas selection to begin with but once the commitment was made they owe it to themselves and Thomas to see what they have with a few years development.

            Additionally, given Bosa’s durability concerns and the fact that Armstead is on his final year, I think they would be better off keeping Thomas. Well, unless they can get a 2nd rounder for him which I don’t think is possible.

              1. Please, no. The Niners should not help the Patriots possibly win another ring. Thought they learned their lesson with Trent Brown.
                .
                Trade Thomas to Denver. Fangio would play Thomas in his 3-4 system, where Whitner thinks his biggest strengths could be utilized. Broncos are struggling, and I do not think they will win another SB with Flacco.

        1. Cool, I just hope Justin doesn’t receive the backlash that Bosa is for his opinions.

          1. Somehow I don’t see Justin as twitter, internet rumor surfer.
            And nobodies going say anything to Justin Smith’s face :D

    1. Walsh’s first year in his second tenure at Stanford was his most successful. Taking over a squad built largely by his protégé Denny Green, Walsh led the Cardinal to a 10-3 record in 1992. The season ended with a convincing 24-3 win over national powerhouse Penn State in the Blockbuster Bowl on New Year’s Day.

      Some notable Players Bill Walsh recruited for Stanford:

      WR–Tony Hill, Dallas Cowboys
      WR–James Lofton
      QB–Guy Benjamin
      QB–John Elway, Stanford
      QB–Steve Dills
      RB–Darrien Gordon
      S–John Lynch

      etc, etc

      https://news.stanford.edu/pr/94/941130Arc4032.html

  36. I just don’t see the 49ers trading Thomas. Too many factors have affected him to make a complete eval on whether he’ll ever be a decent starter. There is also the complication that it will cost them more against the cap this year to move him rather than keep him.

    But if they are really trying to move him, can only assume the review Kocurek did was less than complementary.

  37. Kirk Herbstreit just now on NFL Network:
    I think Nick Bosa has a chance to be an elite player, a perennial Pro Bowl player because he just has that rare combination of power, speed, leverage, he’s a three-down player he’s going to play against the run and he’s going to be a great pass-rusher.

    I agree Kirk!
    Shanny & Lynch would be fools to pass up on Bosa if he’s there at #2.
    If Arizona surprises everyone and takes Bosa, then we still get the second best player in the draft Josh Allen!
    We can’t lose unless we trade down! Do NOT trade down unless we get an extremely ridiculous offer.

    The beer is already flowing over here and the champagne is on ice for when we get Bosa!! ….or Allen ?
    Also, I’m pissing off the jobless neighbors with a loud mix of Zeppelin, Stones, Motley Crue and Jimi Hendrix!! ????? Go Niners!! Playoffs!!!

      1. Razor –

        Judast Priest & Ozzy is about as hard as I go…I’ve softened up over the years…Now it’s more stuff like The Eagles, Rod Stewart & 80’s stuff like The Cure….Lol Freddie P. Soft

        1. Have you listened to that song? It’s not for those with a short attention span.

            1. You gotta sit back in the easy chair, close your eyes and let it take you away on its journey until the end….

  38. Raiders trade up to grab Bosa, give us their other first and their 4th pick.
    They take Bosa, NY takes Williams, and guess who falls into our lap? Mr Allen. The player that will have the best career out of all of them.
    Baaaaam.
    That’s the draft of my dreams and it’s gonna happen. Because it’s April still and the Clippers , Tiger, Sharks shook up the odds and the world.
    Niners do the same in this comeback month!
    ??

    1. MD –

      What if the Jets nab Allen? Then we’re stuck with the fat guy from Bama. :-)

      2. You shut that filthy mouth of yours Crabs.
        That kind of talk isn’t welcome in my dreamland. ??

  39. The fact that Thomas is at rumor stage shows that Lynch/Shanny’s new D-Line coach has completed his eval and the Niners don’t want anymore bust commentaries lingering about the facility!

    Seems the only teams capable of anaylyzing Standford draftees correctly are the late Bill Walsh and ex-49er dynasty coach, Pete Carroll—note: Richard Sherman.

    Josh Garnett still stings

  41. Mike Silver – “The Cardinals have had discussions today with agents for each of the top 3 prospects on their draft board (Kyler Murray, Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams), according to multiple sources. I’m told the team is still keeping its plans close to the vest.”

    This conclusively means there may or may not be a smoke screen.

    1. Murray and his agent have already signed with the Cardinals. The NFL has ordered NFLN and ESPN to not report it until permission is Granted….

        1. ?

          I’m willing to lay odds that Grant has three different articles already written, ready to go to print. One scathing and shaming for selecting Bosa. One questioning and accusing if it’s Williams, and one praising for a boatload of draft picks, and a I told you so….

          2. Grant mentioned to Krueger that his scathing Bosa article has already been written.

  44. My sources are telling me that the 49ers did not get along with Metcalf during their meeting.

  45. Jimmy G to the Giants? Redskins? Dolphins? Broncos? … for a first …

    Wouldn’t THAT be a 49er bombshell in the draft ?

      1. Nick ‘Boatload ‘o Picks‘ Mullens is worth 2x that Sebbie. Would’ve been 4x if not for the Bears game.

  46. Now they’re reporting Armstead is on the trade block.

    According to a report Thursday afternoon from The MMQB’s Albert Breer, the Niners are shopping defensive tackle Arik Armstead:

    Two players on fifth-year options that have been part of trade discussions—Philly’s Nelson Agholor and San Francisco’s Arik Armstead. Both players could be had for a price. But neither will be given away, since each would be part of their team’s comp-pick equation in 2020. As for the other defensive lineman in San Francisco, Solomon Thomas, there’s optimism he’ll be a better fit playing in a new scheme under first-year line coach Kris Kocurek, so I think it’s much less likely he’d be moved.

    1. Saw that, I would think Armstead has more appeal as far as talent than Thomas but his price tag is higher. Be interesting to see what happens.

    2. Read that this is increasing speculation that the 49ers are planning to take Quinnen Williams.

    1. What would be a deal too good to be true? Maybe one where the Raiders get the number 2 overall pick, and still keep their 24th and 27th picks.

    2. Niners 2+36 for Raiders 4+24+35 works for me.
      My kazillion test mocks often have the player I want taken at 35, hence the 36/35 swap.

      Or Niners 2 for Raiders 4+35+2021 second.

      1. Raiders first, second and 4th round picks ( 4,35,106) plus a 2020 third round pick, for the Niners number 2 overall pick.
        .
        Raiders have pick numbers 2, 24, 27, and Niners have pick numbers 4, 35, 36, 67, 104,106.
        .
        Six picks in first 106 picks.

  48. Wonder if Darren5000 will join us tonight. He did call for the 9ers to draft a QB.

  49. Okay Grant. Open your draft topic. Let’s get this tire fire goin’.

  50. Rumor Murray and Cards trying to iron out if a no baseball clause is in contract, hence the late indecisiveness.

    Again, this is just a dang rumor. Does make a bit of sense though.

  51. DRAFT DAY THOUGHTS AND FINAL MOCK
    1st–get off of Lynch and Shanny’s case. Everyone has to start somewhere and they will not b perfect. I will bet a lot of current GM’s look back and say “what was I thinking when I did that.” That being said, it’s time to hit a whole draft out of the park, not a pick here and a pick there.
    2nd–Who is going to b available to be traded? Depending on the draft plan and how it works out I am thinking Armstead, Thomas, Blair, Day, Smith, Colbert, Garnett, Gookwin, and Bredia. Any one of those players could be used to move around in the draft or to obtain more picks. Not saying any for sure, but I would bet at least one of them will be gone.
    3rd–John Gruden won with Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson. His favorite QB is his next QB. He will not take a qb in the first or second round.

    MY MOCK
    1-2…Edge rush..Josh Allen-Bosa makes the pass rush better. Allen makes the whole team better.
    2-36….trade down with Green Bay for 2-44 and 4-119
    2-44….Safety..Juan Thornhill….this is the wheel house of this draft and we need a real FS
    3-66…trade down with Denver for 3-72 and k5-157
    3-72….Michalel Jordan C/G Ohio st.…last year Westburg played injured all year and we had no one to give him a break. Also..i am not sold on Tominson, Garnett the new guy they just signed and Person at guard.
    4-104…..Gary Jennings WR West Virgina—you sold me Grant
    4-119 from GB….Jameal Dean CB Auburn–a nice corner that plays a lot better then he tested
    5-157 from Denver…Justin Hollis Edge Oregan—we need more wide 9 rushers
    6-177–Kaden smith Stanford—-another TE in the late round. I will take that.
    6–214—Mitch Wishnowowsky P Utah because we need one

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