Trading back has always been an intriguing draft strategy for the 49ers in a year where they’re unlikely to find a top-end player at their biggest position of need with the 31st overall pick. Moving back a few spots and stockpiling more picks while also not needing to reach for a player in Round 1 could ultimately be more beneficial in the immediate and long-term futures for San Francisco.
A good illustration of why there could be several opportunities for the 49ers to trade back comes via ESPN analytics’ draft predictor, which laid out the players most likely to be taken with the 31st overall selection. That doesn’t mean San Francisco will definitely be making the pick, this is just the player most likely to go with that pick regardless of which team ultimately makes it.
Here are the 10 players most likely to go 31st overall per ESPN:
Yes. Mitchell has some high-end traits that could be enticing to the 49ers, especially if they wind up moving Brandon Aiyuk in this year’s draft. Not that Mitchell is a similar player, but Aiyuk’s exit would create a pretty gaping hole on the depth chart.
Chance he’s taken: ~ 7.75 percent
Probably not. They’ve never taken a cornerback earlier than the third round under general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan. If McKinstry’s name gets called with the 31st pick it likely means the 49ers have traded out.
Chance he’s taken: ~ 7.25 percent
Worthy has different, game-changing speed the 49ers don’t really have in their receiving corps. It’s easy to see how Shanahan could fall in love with what Worthy can do with the ball in his hands. On the other hand, this might be a bit of a reach even after Worthy set the NFL combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash.
Definitely! Of all the WRs who might fall to San Francisco, McConkey is the one who makes the most sense for them. He can play outside or in the slot, and he’s almost always open which would give quarterback Brock Purdy another go-to pass catcher in big situations.
