The San Francisco 49ers have done a lot of draft maneuvering under Trent Baalke, but this would certainly be a sizable move. MMQB writer Robert Klemko reported earlier this week that the 49ers are one of four teams in play for the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans hold the pick, and have no need for a quarterback. Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are the top two quarterbacks in the draft, and there are a handful of teams still looking for a long-term answer at the position.
Here's what Klemko had to say:
1. At the moment, there are four teams in play to trade up to the No. 1 spot: Cleveland (as insurance against losing their preference of Goff or Wentz), San Francisco (No. 7), Philadelphia (No. 13) and Los Angeles (No. 15). And I don't believe it will take the "king's ransom" Titans GM Jon Robinson says a team will have to give up to move to No. 1. (Robinson later clarified his remarks, saying he did not want to give the impression the Titans were unwilling to move down). My hunch is that the deal will land somewhere south of the legitimate king's ransom Washington paid for the right to draft Robert Griffin III basically, three first-rounders and a second-round pick.
The 49ers could decide they really want a quarterback, but I'm skeptical that they would give up the kind of haul it would take to get the No. 1 pick. It would be easier for them than the Eagles or Rams, but it would still require a haul. My guess is the 49ers would have to give up this year's first round pick, next year's first round pick, a second round pick, and maybe another second. And I don't see Trent Baalke willingly giving that up.
There are reports that Baalke is a Blaine Gabbert fan. That does not mean the team will not draft a quarterback. I think they are likely to draft a quarterback, even if they don't trade or release Colin Kaepernick. But I don't think they will have the desire to give up the picks to get Goff or Wentz. If a trade does not happen, it then comes down to what Dallas does at No. 4, and any potential trades into No. 5 or 6 after that. But no, I don't see the 49ers trading up to No. 1.