Given the recent flood of departing defensive talent in San Francisco in recent years, it’s surprising to hear Muhammad Wilkerson “would love to play” for the 49ers.
After all, given the lack of free agents signing with the team, it seems like Santa Clara is one of those “I wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot-pole” type NFL destinations these days.
That said, Wilkerson apparently would be thrilled to move to the west coast this year, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. Barrows wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers and New York Jets orchestrated a deal during the draft that included New York moving up to No. 7 if a top quarterback were still available.
As part of such a deal, Wilkerson would be coming to the 49ers.
“The 49ers have scads of cap space and a dearth of defensive linemen. In this scenario, the Jets would draft Goff at No. 7 while the 49ers would get Wilkerson, the 20th overall pick (where they might be able to land Lawson or Kevin Dodd or Laquon Treadwell or another mid-round choice) as well as some other picks. Et voila! (You’re welcome, Trent).”
Wilkerson is one of the best defensive players at any position in the NFL. He would immediately become a key cog in an instantly-improved defense, were he to play for the 49ers this upcoming year.
So why would the Jets be interested in trading away a star?
Obviously there is the issue of not having a quarterback.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets are in two different universes when it comes to how much they both believe he’s worth, and a contract stalemate is in effect. There is a chance he could, out of spite, sign with another team for the same amount of money as he’s been offered by New York.
Moving up to No. 7, if Goff is there is a potential long-term solution. But there’s also another reason the Jets are looking to potentially move Wilkerson, and it has everything to do with money.
New York is not in good shape cap-wise, while San Francisco actually has the money to give him what he wants, which is a long-term deal with lots of guaranteed cash. The Jets also have two young players in Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams who will need long-term contracts of their own in coming years.
Wilkerson is currently tied to the Jets by means of the franchise tag designation. He cannot play for any other team this year unless he is traded.
And as crazy as it might sound to Jets fans, a trade isn’t out of the question.
This potential scenario laid out by Barrows is feasible, and it would benefit both sides, if the 49ers aren’t interested in any of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft.