NFL Draft rumors: 49ers could trade up to draft Aldon Smith replacement
By Josh Hill
There has been a lot of chatter about the San Francisco 49ers possibly trading up in the NFL Draft next week but most of that chatter has centered on the team drafting Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans. While that very well could be the case, ProFootballtalk’s Mike Florio points out that the 49ers have other reasons to want to trade up in the first round.
"Unless the 49ers plan to move on from Crabtree (whose contract is up after this year) or Davis, it could make more sense to target another more certain need, like pass rusher (given Aldon Smith’s tenuous status) or inside linebacker (given NaVorro Bowman’s serious knee injury)."
It’s obviously not impossible for the Niners to trade up and draft a guy who can replace Crabtree, Anquan Boldin or Vernon Davis as a weapon for Colin Kaepernick, but Florio is right in pointing out the mushy feelings we have for skill position players tends to distract us from other needs.
There are some great pass rushers in this draft and top notch linebacker prospects that the Niners could use as much if not more than Evans. We may also see the Niners stay put as well, but it’s clear that they have plenty of options to consider.