49ers Can't Afford to Let Broncos Trade Ahead of Them in the Draft for a Star Wide Receiver
The San Francisco 49ers acquired the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by sending DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts. That sets the team up to draft a top wide receiver after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency.
Right now, the 49ers should be able to get the receiver of their choice at No. 13. However, the Denver Broncos are reportedly looking to move up and could do so to take a top pass-catcher, which would be plainly damaging for the defending NFC champs.
The Broncos desperately want to add a top WR in this year's draft, and it sounds like they're contemplating moving up for one.@BenjaminSolak broke down what a trade up for a WR might look like for Denver.#FrontOffice33 | #NFLDraft | #BroncosCountryhttps://t.co/OfKZdI4exc
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) April 16, 2020
The Broncos own the No. 15 overall pick, two spots behind the 49ers. John Lynch needs to be wary of his former team jumping up ahead of him, and may want to have trade packages of his own in the works just in case. The 49ers also own the No. 31 overall pick, so if there is a receiver they desperately want, a trade involving picks No. 13 and No. 31 may be what it takes.
It's not ideal, but they have to prepare for this possibility if the alternative is losing out on a stud like CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs.
"Pushes the offense over the edge...The most polished receiver in the draft class." - @DaltonJ_Johnson has the 49ers taking Jerry Jeudy
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) April 15, 2020
See the latest full mock here ➡️ https://t.co/TmB0uqcIHJ pic.twitter.com/u39yjpttoP
The 49ers do have 10 receivers under contract at the moment, bu Travis Benjamin was the only notable addition to a group headlined by Deebo Samuel and Marquise Goodwin. Having the pick of their top receiver, whether it's Lamb, Ruggs, or even Jerry Jeudy, is key for the 49ers to make the pick acquired in the Buckner trade pay off as much as possible.
The draft is going to be a different beast this year due to the coronavirus shutdown, and general managers will have to be especially diligent when it comes to getting the pulse of deals that could be made. Lynch should go in expecting a Broncos trade and be ready to counter in a flash.