The 49ers are clearly targeting a quarterback in the NFL Draft
After trading three first-round picks and a third-round choice to move up nine spots, the San Francisco 49ers are clearly targeting a quarterback.
Forget the noise. Forget the water-carrying. The San Francisco 49ers are moving up for a quarterback, and nothing else.
When a team trades capital to the extent San Francisco did on Friday morning, it means one thing: we’re all in. After going to the Super Bowl and falling just shy against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, the 49ers went through an injuyr-ravaged campaign in 2020, finishing 6-10. However, the roster remains elite, save for the quarterback.
Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come. pic.twitter.com/nRLMUaWGo5
Jimmy Garoppolo is adequate when healthy, but nothing special. Additionally, he’s rarely healthy. In his final season with the New England Patriots, Garoppolo started for the suspended Tom Brady but was hurt in Week 2. After being dealt to the Niners, the former Eastern Illinois star was the entrenched starter for three seasons and missed 23 games due to ankle and knee injuries.
The San Francisco 49ers are drafting a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft
Clearly, San Francisco general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan felt it imperative to find an upgrade this offseason. With the free-agent market providing few options, the 49ers decided to make a monster move, trading first-round picks in the upcoming three drafts, along with a third-round choice in ’21 to get No. 3 overall next month.
It’s a massive decision, and one which clearly points to a new direction. With Trevor Lawrence almost certainly going to the Jacksonville Jaguars two picks prior, the Niners will have a chance to draft two of the following three quarterbacks: Zach Wilson, Justin Fields or Trey Lance. Considering Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly scheme, this is a dream for whoever lands in San Francisco.
Stuck in the NFL’s toughest division, the Niners recognized they’d be at a severe disadvantage with Garoppolo. Now, regardless of what they’re pushing out into the world, they can use Garoppolo to recoup draft assets while upgrading at the position.
It’s the type of decision smart teams who are honest with themselves make.