Maybe I’m in a 49ers bubble but it seems like most focus is on that No.3 pick. Partially because there’s no intrigue about what happens at 1 and 2. But also partially because it’s not that often that a team with a Top10 roster picks this high in the draft. Injuries killed the 49ers hopes last year but also gave them the chance for a shot of drafting a franchise QB via the draft (and a mega trade). They still have the vast majority of a roster that is just over 12 months removed from a Super Bowl appearance. DeForest Buckner is the biggest loss in that period plus arguably Emmanuel Sanders ( though Ayuik is a great replacement).
When was the last time that a team with a roster this good, on paper, picked Top 3 in the draft?
It definitely seems like the #3 pick has been the most talked about since that trade. The Jets sent Darnold to Carolina, and all indications have been that we'll take Wilson (our dynasty begins, you watch!
). Given the amount given up to move to #3, how complete the 49ers are as a team, and the lack of commitment so far, this really is the first pick with such intense focus in this draft. It's certainly rare that a team this good is picking in the top 3.
When do we think the draft is going to get interesting, teams doing late deals to trade up & so on?
The Niners pick, depending on the QB they choose, could make the picks right after very valuable. It seems like teams have talked to Atlanta about pick #4. The Falcons have a few options themselves (some rumors they may want to move Julio on). There's been some suggestion the Falcons could take a QB themselves as a Matt Ryan successor, but don't know if I see that. They could trade Julio (though they don't save on cap unless they trade him after June 1st) and draft one of the top pass-catchers in Pitts, Chase, or Smith. Give Matt Ryan a couple of more years to make a final run.
Beyond that, where Justin Fields and Trey Lance actually go (assuming Jones goes to the Niners) will be interesting Could a race for trade-ups for teams like the Broncos or the Patriots after pick #3 is confirmed. Who's going to end up making the moves?
Caleb Farley's one of the best CBs in the draft but has had back surgeries before. Are teams worried about his health? Jaylen Waddle's an explosive talent and was destined to be a star of that Bama team for the entire year before his injury. Where does he go given that there are lots of talented receivers in the draft? Could some team picking very late trade up to get him if he starts falling? Both the Jets and Jags have two first-rounders (Jags have two second-rounders this year, the Jets have two third-rounders and overall 10 picks in the first 3 rounds this year and next). How will these teams build around their new QBs? Will they be tempted to trade up with their second first-round pick should someone like Waddle start falling? Talent-deprived teams shouldn't be trading up a lot, but if you have so many picks, and you can get the guys you want.
In addition to Lance (1 game excepted), we didn't see Penei Sewell or Jamarr Chase this season either. Shouldn't affect their stock, but what about lesser-heralded guys that didn't play (or play many games)?
Let the fun begin!
