“Many teams are looking at San Francisco as a catalyst for movement late in the first round”

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote about some hot topics for this week’s NFL Draft. He includes a couple of noteworthy items involving the San Francisco 49ers:

The Seattle Seahawks almost always look to trade back, and they will likely do so again at No. 27. But they might not be alone in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers have zero picks in Rounds 2 to 4 and could utilize No. 31 overall to gain capital, especially considering they dealt DeForest Buckner for the No. 13 pick last month. Many teams are looking at San Francisco as a catalyst for movement late in the first round.

If they want to get creative, the 49ers can include players in any deal. Running back Matt Breida is believed to be on the trading block as the odd man out in a crowded tailback crew (he would welcome the fresh start too), and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin still has elite speed, which holds value.

One of the worst kept secrets has been the 49ers wanting out of the pick. No 31, as the team doesn’t hold any selections for the next three rounds. For teams looking at quarterbacks, they may want to move up to 31 in order to ensure they get a fifth-year option for the player they covet. It’s not limited to teams seeking quarterbacks, either. The Jaguars traded up for defensive tackle Taven Bryan. In deep offensive tackle and wide receiver class, if a team covets a player, it’s likely they’d want to trade up toward the end of the first round.

The other worst kept secret is Breida, who Fowler said, “is believed to be on the trading block as the odd man out in a crowded tailback crew.” If I’m the 49ers, getting a Day 3 pick for Breida and flipping that for a second tight-end would be my goal. If I’m a team looking for a speedy running back, Breida, for a fifth-rounder, is a no-brainer. Talent wasn’t Breida’s issue. Holding onto the ball was. I’d be shocked if Breida was still on the 49ers this time next week.

Peter King’s mock draft may not have been too far off. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers are fielding calls on both of their first-round picks, and are open to dealing either or both picks. Not much of a surprise, as the Niners wouldn’t have a selection until pick No. 156 after their first-rounder.