The 49ers’ decision to trade multiple future first-round picks to move up to No. 3 overall concluded a weekslong process, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets that San Francisco held trade talks with both Atlanta and Cincinnati for their respective top-five selections (Nos. 4 and 5 overall, respectively).
However, the Jets and 49ers did not discuss the No. 2 overall pick, according to Schefter. Despite the high cost, the 49ers opted to move as high as they could in this draft. Having turned to ex-49ers coaches to help ignite a rebuild, the Jets have been connected to BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with that choice. The Jets attended Wilson’s pro day Friday, and Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes John Lynch was present at the Provo, Utah, showcase as well. (Interestingly, Jaguars HC Urban Meyer did not, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets.)
While GM Joe Douglas may still trade the pick and go with Sam Darnold, the reality Corey Davis said he signed up for, quarterbacks are a near-certainty to go first and second overall. With the 49ers making this move, QBs should be expected to go first, second and third for the first time since 1999 (Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith).
The Jets chose Darnold third overall in 2018 but saw the once-coveted quarterback regress last season, and the team has not seen the USC product justify the previous regime’s investment. Douglas not being with the Jets when they chose Darnold figures to be important here. The 49ers trading up points to the team believing the Jets will draft Wilson second, Brian Costello of the New York Post writes, leaving Justin Fields, Trey Lance or Mac Jones — among QBs — on the board after the Jaguars and Jets make their respective picks.
Douglas keeping Darnold and trading out of that draft slot would open the door to another team trading up to No. 2 and potentially leaving Wilson on the board, should the trading-up franchise prefer one of the other QBs. However, Wilson-to-New York has become the most likely scenario after the Jags begin the draft with Trevor Lawrence.
Regardless of where Wilson goes in the draft, the Dolphins trading out of the No. 3 slot almost certainly means the rest of the non-Jags/Jets/49ers contingent will be down to two of these passers. The Falcons have been connected to quarterbacks as well. No draft has started with four straight QBs going off the board.
I have no clue how it won’t be Lawrence 1, Wilson 2. Extremely curious what 49ers do then.
I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first either, but my takeaway from this is that the 49ers are locked in on Fields
I know the Lance kid is raw and has very limited starting experience but what he did in 2019 was insane and he is apparently a next-level great kid. Gym and film room rat. Fields probably is their guy but I have a sneaky suspicion Kyle Shanahan has become infatuated with Trey Lance.
No love for fields at all?
There has never been an Ohio State qb with sustained success as a qb in the NFL. The best was Mike Tomczak. More have been successful at other positions in the NFL – Tupa, Matte, Pryor. It would not be a surprise if Mac Jones is drafted ahead of Fields who is talented but shows many of the traits of previous Ohio State qbs, good athletes with erratic throwing tendencies, questionable pocket sense, and an inability to consistently execute an NFL game plan.
Well said. A good friend of mine made almost the exact same argument yesterday.
Here is my question ;Why was John Lynch at Zach Wilson’s pro day? Maybe he knows something that we don’t.
Here is my question ;Why was John Lynch at Zach Wilson’s pro day? Maybe he knows something that we don’t.
Too funny they wait til young’s pro day … the market to trade Darnold or Jimmy G is way different now. But no they did not discuss it … haha. Cmon man Jets obviously passed on 3 first round picks and will take Wilson and u paid more than Rams did for stafford cause nfc west is a Preasure cooker right now! They want to sell this crap now, too funny just like jimmy G is ur man. Never ever believe a word nfl execs sell pre draft!!!
The Rams gave up 2 first round picks, a third, and Goff for a QB that is in his 30s…while also taking a $20m dead cap hit this season. So how exactly did the 49ers pay more than the Rams?
Because the Rams gave up only two first round picks and a third to acquire Stafford (a proven vet and an upgrade, not merely a ‘QB that is in his 30s’) *and get rid of Goff*. You’re acting like Goff was a valuable trade chip when he was an albatross contract getting jettisoned. You mention the $20 million cap hit but there’s a $30 million hit for 2022, 2023, and 2024 that they dumped.
49ers gave up two firsts, a first round pick swap, and a third to draft someone who may not even be there (whoever they want) or may not even pan out.
49ers paid more than the Rams and it’s not even close.
@rct your statements is dead on…IF the 49ers aren’t one of the premier teams and don’t get in the playoffs. If they among the elite teams, then they’re next two #1 draft picks are low.
EDIT: *they’re not they
This is really interesting news, I can not see any reason a team looking to trade to the top of the draft would not inquire with all the teams at the top unless they learned who the Jets were taking or were excited about 2 of the three QB’s. Could the Jets have decided to keep Darnow and are drafting Sewell? SF totally overpaid to move up a month ahead for a player that may not be there, unless they had intel that he would. This may become an even bigger story thru draft and even after it.
I hope the Jets take Sewell. I think Sam can thrive in their new offensive scheme.
I think Sam deserves another shot. I think with new coaching, he can greatly improve. Under Gase, Tannehill digressed too. Look at him now in TN!
Keep Darnold? You must be a Patriot fan.lol
Can’t do it- one year gamble before he needs an extension? Get me the more accurate Wilson and get this rebuild flying
“QBs should be expected to go first, second and third for the first time since 1999 (Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith).” YIKES!!!!!!!
Heard the 49ers are keying in on Penei Sewell
They are taking a QB 100%
Nope! You wrong
No, he’s right lol there’s nowhere to put Sewell on their rebuilt oline and they want a QB on a rookie deal. It’s 150% a quarterback and it honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see Wilson fall to them at 3 if the Jets stick with Darnold and go with Sewell at 2.
To play where exactly? Williams just got signed for big. McGlinchey has been good and is signed for 2 more years, with his 5th year option. You don’t give up all that draft capital to move and draft a guy for positions you are set at. QB is the only thing that really makes sense for moving up like that.
Center
They didn’t bet the farm for Sewell.
Don’t take the relationship with Saleh for granted, wouldn’t be surprised at all if they didn’t talk and Saleh told them they aren’t trading Sam, aren’t taking a QB and won’t trade the pick so the 49ers made the trade to get Wilson. Clearly just speculation but also just seeing Lynch there at Wilson’s Pro Day and he hasn’t done that yet this offseason.
Not pointing fingers at anyone, but this would be a fireable maybe career ending offense even if it was an inadvertent slip in a conversation.
That’s just me speculating. I just think the relationship with Saleh is a close one and wooldjt be surprised if they haven’t talked about what the plans are for the Jets and that’s why the 49ers made the move because they knew they could get Wilson. Just find it hard to believe they made the trade to 3rd and this soon to grab Jones like some are saying. Maybe Lance could be in play but I have a feeling they get Wilson. Obviously I know nothing, just a fan, just my gut feeling. As a 49ers fan, I hope that does happen but I also would be shocked if the Jets really did pass on Wilson to stick with Darnold.
I think this is obviously a lie. If they were going to trade up that high why would they not at least check in on #2. Doesn’t make any sense. Probably a smoke screen by jets telling everyone else if you want this pick your gonna have to pay even more than the niners just did.
I think Wilson has a chance to be special he has mahomes level ability to throw from weird and awkward angles with great power and velocity, if he lands with SF I think going forward he will be in the conversation of best QB in the league
dodged a bullet