clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2017 NFL mock draft: Considering a Browns-49ers trade at No. 2

This is an intriguing trade, but I have questions about the subsequent picks.

The Cleveland Browns have some decisions to make as the 2017 NFL Draft approaches. There have been rumors they are undecided between Myles Garrett and Mitchell Trubisky at No. 1, but I think most people would be surprised to see them pass on Garrett. There was talk Hue Jackson preferred a quarterback at No. 1, but his own words suggest otherwise.

The bigger question is what they do at No. 12. Do they wait and see if Trubisky slips there, or do they make a bold move up the draft board? In his latest 2017 NFL mock draft, CBS Sports writer R.J. White went three rounds deep and offered up a trade that has the Browns moving up to the San Francisco 49ers No. 2 pick. The Browns get the No. 2 pick, while the 49ers get the Browns first (No. 12), second (No. 33), fourth (No. 108), and two seconds in 2018.

White took a very different approach to the 49ers picks in the first three rounds, focusing heavily on offense. Here’s the results:

1 (12). Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

The 49ers are likely feeling out potential prospects to select if they move off No. 2. How else would explain a scheduled visit with Robinson, who has next to no chance to make it to them in the second round? The massive lineman would start immediately on the right side, helping to alleviate some of the concerns teams might have using him on the blind side. This is also a prime spot for someone looking to trade up for Pat Mahomes (looking at you, Texans).

2 (33). Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

Cook is a first-round talent who could slip to the second because of off-field issues and poor combine numbers. The 49ers landed this pick by trading out of No. 2 overall in this mock.

2 (34). Davis Webb, QB, California

Webb has gained steam recently as a potential first-round pick, and the 49ers brought him in for a private visit. If he makes it out of the first, expect him to land here.

3 (66). Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

The 49ers aren't close to being contenders, so they can afford to grab Jones, a first-round talent who's recovering from a torn Achilles, with a Day 2 pick and hope he emerges as a 2018 starter.

I would really be surprised if the 49ers used these first three picks entirely on offense, and then used what could be a red-shirt pick on defense. Jones could be back for the season, but they likely would not push him too hard.

The other side of the coin is that this draft has enough defensive options, that maybe they wait since they can still get quality later. I don’t see that happening, but I suppose it is one strategy the team could take.

As for the trade itself? It actually could be a decent value. Pick No. 33 is effectively like a tail-end first round pick, and those two second round picks next year added in are a nice cherry on top. It would give the 49ers four picks in at worst the top 64. I don’t see that happening, but if Cleveland did not want to give up a future first round pick in the deal, this could be one way of doing it.

Poll

How would you grade this draft haul?

This poll is closed

  • 19%
    A
    (599 votes)
  • 27%
    B
    (824 votes)
  • 25%
    C
    (773 votes)
  • 14%
    D
    (448 votes)
  • 12%
    F
    (384 votes)
3028 votes total Vote Now