FanPost

Hostage Draft Strategy

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via www.popcracker.com


What if 49ers GM Trent Baalke pursued a 'hostage' draft strategy? How effective would that be? The 49ers have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds of the draft this year, so if they snagged players that OTHER teams coveted, could they set off a bidding war that resulted in even more draft picks and/or players being traded?

For instance, if the 49ers draft the talented Montee Ball (running back) with one of their second round picks, could they work a deal that sends him to another team for something big in return? So instead of trading picks for picks, the 49ers would draft a prospect and then work a deal to trade him for more assets (e.g. more picks, players, etc.).

Now in order for this strategy to work, the 49ers would have to know what other teams want and such a strategy is usually most effective with high 1st round picks like the Eli Manning/Philip Rivers draft day trade back in 2004. Still, I think this strategy could be marginally successful given that the 49ers have stockpiled so many draft picks yet have so few needs to fill. Your thoughts...?

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