The Los Angeles Rams acquired Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib in a trade last week that involved a 2018 fifth round pick. The San Francisco 49ers were also interested, and we have since heard from John Lynch himself that a deal was agreed before Talib said he was not interested in joining the 49ers.
On Monday, we learned some more details about the almost Talib trade. Broncos beat writer Mike Klis is reporting the 49ers were going to give up a fourth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. For comparison’s sake, a a pick in the next year’s draft is discounted to a round later in the current draft. So, a fourth round pick in the 2019 draft is valued as a fifth round pick in the 2018 draft.
If this deal had been executed, the 49ers would have owed him $11 million in base salary this year, and $8 million next year. If Richard Sherman earns a spot on both the Pro Bowl and All Pro teams, he would earn $11,050,000 this year. Talib is owed $11 million whether or not he is an All Pro or rated the worst cornerback in the NFL. I think I can live with this kind of deal for Sherman!