The 2017 NFL Draft features a fairly clear-cut No. 1 pick in Myles Garrett, and then a host of options at No. 2. The San Francisco 49ers have enough holes that there are several potentially quality picks to be made. However, one can also hope a team is willing to make an offer for the pick that the 49ers cannot refuse.
Pro Football Focus posted their latest 2017 NFL mock draft, and they considered a trade with the 49ers pick at No. 2. They have the 49ers trading the second overall pick and their fourth round comp pick (No. 143) to the New York Jets for the sixth overall pick and the Jets second round pick (No. 39). Based on the old school draft trade value chart, and some recent trades involving top five picks, it does not add up. More on that below.
PFF has the Jets moving up to draft North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. They then have the 49ers drafting Tennessee edge rusher Derek Barnett. Here is what PFF had to say about the Barnett pick:
There are few positions that are set on the 49ers’ roster, so they can go a number of ways here. Barnett had outstanding production at Tennessee, finishing No. 2 among the nation’s edge defenders in 2015 (90.0) and No. 3 in 2016 (92.0). He is strong against the run and continues to improve as a pass-rusher, challenging the edge as well as any rusher in this class. He’ll play defensive end as the 49ers transfer to a 4-3 scheme.
Barnett has some questions, but there is considerable upside. The bigger question for me in this deal is the return for moving down from No. 2. Here are a couple recent trades that are not exactly the same, but offer some comparisons.
- Eagles receive No. 2 pick, 4th rd pick
- Browns receive No. 8, 3rd rd pick, 4th rd pick, 2017 1st & 2nd
Browns-Bills trade 2014
- Browns receive No. 9 pick, 2015 1st, 4th
- Bills receive No. 4 pick
The Eagles moved up to draft Carson Wentz, while the Bills moved up to draft Sammy Watkins. If the Jets are really sold on drafting Mitchell Trubisky, or any of the quarterbacks, I would hope John Lynch is on the phone with them as much as possible to make something happen. I don’t know if they can make a deal like either of these, but I don’t think the PFF deal is close enough to what the 49ers should be trying to land for the No. 2 pick.