The No. 2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft is presently held by the San Francisco 49ers. But the pick could be made by another team. San Francisco GM John Lynch said as much on Thursday.
In a press conference during the NFL Scouting Combine, Lynch was asked by Zack Kelberman (who covers the Denver Broncos for CBS Sports) if the pick might be available. Lynch responded, saying he’s “always open” to trading down.
#49ers GM John Lynch tells me he’s “always open” to trading down from No. 2 pick.
“You interested?” he joked to me.
The #broncos might be … pic.twitter.com/H4Tavtpd5J
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) February 28, 2019
It makes sense. There are a number of quarterback-needy teams in the NFL. The 49ers are not one of them. If a team wants to guarantee itself a chance to draft either Dwayne Haskins or Kyler Murray, a top-two pick is necessary.
With Jimmy Garoppolo on board, the 49ers are not in the market for a quarterback. Lynch said as much (H/T Jennifer Lee Chan, NBC Sports Bay Area). But also heaped effusive praise on Murray.
#49ers John Lynch on OU QB Kyler Murray
“We obviously aren’t in the market for a quarterback but I keep throwing his darn film on because he’s so fun to watch. He’s an electric player. I hadn’t seen Kyler play much & it is electric. It’s fun to watch. That Heisman was for real.”
— Jennifer Lee Chan – threads @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) February 28, 2019
Time will tell how much other teams agree with Lynch’s assessment.
If enough teams see Murray in a similar way, the time leading up to the draft could be quite interesting and possibly greatly beneficial to the 49ers.