The San Francisco 49ers appear to be the most likely team to move up in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, as the franchise possesses the most picks in the draft or any team and is looking to improve with a high-impact player after finishing as runner-up in the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens.
According to Yahoo Sports, reports say that the 49ers are planning to use some of their 13 selections, including two second rounders and five picks among the first 93, to move up even further in the draft to possibly the top five selections. The Mercury News reports that the Oakland Raiders could be a willing trade partner, as the other Bay area team would have no problems with trading out of the third spot, as they only have a handful of picks during the early rounds and could try to get some back that they had to send away in the Matt Flynn deal.
The 49ers have enough picks to risk sending a few to the Raiders to get into the number three spot and that would enable them to take one of the highest ratyed prospects in the draft, including names like Sharrif Floyd, Dee Milliner, Ziggy Ansah, Dion Jordan as well as Eric Fisher, who is considered to be the second best lineman behind Luke Joeckel in the draft. The Raiders could then hang on to more picks and take the best player at 31, which is where the 49ers draft in the first round.
Earlier in the offseason is appeared as if the Raiders were in the running for Geno Smith, but after trading for Matt Flynn from the Seattle Seahawks, that is looking very unlikely. The 49ers could move up to the 14th or 15th spot and take a highly touted player, but since they have so many draft picks and a very talented team already, the risk could be worth it. Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has made a number of solid moves this offseason and the trade could be good in this draft, as it is known as a deep pool of talent and not a top heavy class.
Even though the 49ers signed Nnamdi Asomugha, that doesn't mean they wouldn't want Milliner since they need another body at cornerback and after losing Dashon Goldson any upgrade to the secondary will be valuable. The team could also go after Tyler Eifert or Zach Ertz since they lost Delanie Walker, but if they get into the top three, there is a chance they go after Eric Fisher, who is considered just behind Luke Joeckel by many experts. Texas' Kenny Vaccaro could be an option to replace Goldson, while the team could also look at Dion Jordan or Ansah as the answer for an aging defensive line.
Jarvis Jones is another possibility and the 49ers could make themselves into one of the most talented teams in the league with a top five pick. The move could be similar to the one that the Falcons made when they drafted wideout Julio Jones, as they saw him as worth trading up for an since the 49ers have so many picks it isn't too risky if it doesn't work out.
