Fooch's update: Looks like it's a 2017 pick
The fifth round pick acquired from Washington for tight end Derek Carrier is in 2017. #49ers.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 21, 2015
And the tight end trades are apparently really rolling. A few days after the San Francisco 49ers traded Asante Cleveland to the New England Patriots for offensive lineman Jordan Devey, Matt Barrows is hearing the team has dealt Derek Carrier to Washington for a fifth round draft pick. Barrows is reporting the pick is conditional based on playing time and productivity. Let's root for Derek Carrier!
The 49ers entered training camp with eight tight ends, and clearly was not going to be keeping all of them. As August wore on, we saw Washington's tight ends get decimated by injuries. They have placed multiple guys on injured reserve, and it seemed like only a matter of time before the 49ers did a deal with them. And now we have it.
The 49ers liked Carrier, as seen in the two-year extension he signed this offseason. He entered the NFL having played wide receiver in college, but began the transition to tight end. His blocking was an area where he needed to improve, but we have seen some solid skills from Carrier.
His departure opens up that fourth tight end role even more. Vernon Davis and Blake Bell are making the team, and Vance McDonald seems like a strong candidate to stick around. Garrett Celek would seem like a favorite for the fourth tight end role, but if Busta Anderson impresses, maybe he is the guy. The team seemed to hide Anderson in the first preseason game, so if that continues, it might tell us how things will develop.