The San Francisco 49ers do not need a quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, but they still have a vested interest in the first round quarterbacks. The more QBs going ahead of then, the more quality players that will drop to the 49ers at No. 9.
The general consensus is that three quarterbacks will definitely go in the first eight picks, and possibly a fourth. But, given the extensive amount of trading we’ve seen this offseason, could we see a trade or two push this to five quarterbacks in the top eight? It seems unlikely, but would that really be the most shocking result of this first round?
SB Nation’s Dan Kadar put together his latest 2018 NFL mock draft, and he has two trades in the top eight. He has the Denver Broncos moving up from No. 5 to No. 2 in a deal with the New York Giants. He also has the Buffalo Bills moving up from No. 12 to No. 4 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.
This mock draft results in four quarterbacks going in the first four picks. The Browns select Josh Sam Arnold, the Broncos move up for Josh Rosen, the Jets select Baker Mayfield, and then the Bills land Josh Allen. The next three picks are Quenton Nelson (Giants), Bradley Chubb (Colts), Saquon Barkley (Buccaneers), and Tremaine Edmunds (Bears). The San Francisco 49ers then follow at No. 9 with Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Arizona Cardinals land Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson at pick No. 15, but what if four quarterbacks go in the first four picks? Would the Cardinals decide that maybe they need to get aggressive to ensure they land Jackson? The key could be the Browns at No. 4. The safe play would be drafting Chubb or Barkley, but a move down could further solidify their future draft capital.
Could we see things get this crazy in a couple weeks? Or will it settle down into three or four quarterbacks with no more than one trade into the picks ahead of the 49ers?