Should John Lynch pursue trading for a receiver even in a deep draft?

We are officially one week away from the 2020 NFL Draft.

The rumors are circulating, mock drafts are rolling, and hot takes are all over the place.

There have been plenty of differing opinions on who the San Francisco 49ers should take with one of their two first-round picks, but almost everyone agrees they need a receiver.

A recent report that the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings were discussing a trade centered around Browns’ receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The rumored return for the 27-year-old was a 2020 second-round pick and fifth-rounder next year.

That report was quickly shut down by the media members, but Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd says Beckham wants out of Cleveland (take that as you may). If this is true, the 49ers should absolutely be interested.

This isn’t our first rodeo with OBJ rumors. It was around the same time last year that John Lynch was rumored to be in on the pass-catcher before he was moved from the New York Giants to the Browns for the No. 17 and No. 95 picks in the 2019 draft, plus safety Jabrill Peppers and guard Kevin Zeitler.

The Giants wanted the No. 2 overall pick from the 49ers last year, which Lynch passed on. Thank goodness he did, because the Niners got Nick Bosa.

Beckham’s first season in Cleveland is considered underwhelming, although he finished the year with 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns.

If he does want out and the Browns are willing to listen to offers, Lynch should offer the No. 31 overall pick.

The Niners can trade back from No. 13 and focus on filling holes on the offensive/defensive lines or take the best player available, plus acquire a mid-round pick.

Kyle Shanahan would have a ton of options on how to use Beckham, who, in my opinion, would thrive in the Niners offense. Can you imagine Shanahan drawing up plays with Beckham, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel as options?

Editor’s note: More talk that OBJ is not available.

The 49ers have a huge hole to fill with the departure of Emmanuel Sanders in free agency. This would more than makeup for it.

To make the salary numbers work, the Niners could look at releasing or trading running back Tevin Coleman and receiver Marquise Goodwin, who isn’t in the team’s long-term plans.

San Francisco’s window to win is now. With more salary-cap casualties on the horizon and two aging stars in the lineup, this move makes sense.

If the Niners do pursue this, what is a fair price for Beckham?

Additionally, O.J. Howard from Tampa Bay has rumored to be on the trading block. Howard struggled to stay healthy in his first two years and didn’t have much production in 2019. The Niners have been on the hunt for a second tight end. With Howard entering the final year of his contract, a Day 3 pick for Howard seems like a fair price.

The final player that has recently become available is Texans wideout, Kenny Stills. He’s considered the “odd man out” in Houston and supposedly is available for a late-round pick. We know Kyle Shanahan loves speed, and Stills seems like the vertical threat the team hoped they were getting with Goodwin. Stills has a cap number of $7 million in 2020, which is also the final year of his deal. Stills is a good fit for the 49ers play-action passing game. Would he interest you?