While the 49ers find themselves with more attractions this year than they had a season ago, and with more holes for the attractions to fill, it still wouldn’t be a surprise to see them in the first round of the No. 12 overall choice. ESPN’s Todd McShay illustrated one scenario where San Francisco pulls back to pick up significant draft capital, but his choice is a bit of a hassle.
A payback would make a lot of sense for the 49ers in a scenario where all four quarterbacks go into the first four picks, and so McShay’s spot is playing. If San Francisco were to stay at 12 for a quarter, it would probably have to be one of the best prospects like Zach Wilson, Justin Fields or Trey Lance. The likelihood of them taking a QB for the sake of one with the 12th choice seems low.
The 49ers do not trade with the Bears without slipping the best QBs. Chicago lands the 12th pick in exchange for no. 20, no. 52 and a first or second round in the 2022 draft. It’s a huge move for San Francisco to bounce back eight places where they would still make the top 20. It would also give them two second-round picks that they could use to move to the back of the first round, or make a choice to make a third round after making it to the Trent Williams trade in Washington. sent.
This makes a lot of sense for San Francisco. Their choice via McShay is a bit surprising, but given their need for laundry. With the no. 20-choice, pulls the 49ers in McShay’s apparent TCU safety Trevon Moehrig.
The 6-2, 202-pound safety could potentially be a long-term answer for the 49ers secondary game, with Jaquiski Tartt wanting the free agency, and Jimmie Ward’s future uncertain as his contract expires after the 2022 season ends. Moehrig is unlikely to play a role in the safety of the box like the one Tartt often held. If the 49ers pick him, it could indicate a change in defensive philosophy, or a move for Ward to the nickel corner with K’Waun Williams for an unrestricted free agency.
Another player available at No. 20 is Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye, who is going 21st to the Colts in McShay’s spot. Paye is a defensive end of 6-4, 272 pounds that has built up 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 bags over his last 16 games for the Wolverines. He is a good athlete with a degree of versatility who can play well in a 49ers front that urgently needs help.
Although there may be debate about the player who made the choice, and the team’s needs are likely to change to free agency, this type of refund can be expected if the offer is there. Unless the 49ers believe there is an unpredictable outlook at 12, they will need to move back a few places to pick up draft capital that gives them more flexibility on Days 2 and 3 in a year where they have to again fill in. their roster with cheap rookie talent.