San Francisco 49ers Are Masterfully Creating Chaos With Mitch Trubisky
By Erik Lambert
The San Francisco 49ers have got the entire 2017 NFL draft in a state of confusion. Nobody is entirely sure what they plan to do at #2 overall.
One could go into extensive detail but that’s an easy way to get lost. So here is the simplest explanation of it. Word persists that the team wants to trade down. They’ve made that clear enough, and it’s North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky they are using as the bait. Most experts agree he is the best in this draft class. The closest thing to a complete prospect as QBs go in spite of the inexperience.
2. 49ers interest in Trubisky has been real all along. So is Solomon Thomas and Jamal Adams. Want Trubisky? 49ers will listen. @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 24, 2017
Why is this such an effective technique? It creates two potential avenues of action, both of which will be lucrative for San Francisco. The first is they bait the Cleveland Browns, who reportedly love Trubisky, into taking him at #1 overall. In that scenario they see the best overall prospect in the class fall right into their lap. Myles Garrett is just the sort of blue chip talent that team needs to start resurrecting a once proud defense.
Option #2?
Or there’s the other scenario. They entice a team desperately hoping for a top quarterback to pay up big in order to get Trubisky. After all, the Chicago Bears are rumored to have significant interest in him as well. Since they sit at #3, that makes the #2 pick even more valuable. No doubt the 49ers are hoping to create the same hysteria that occurred back in 2012 when the Rams ransomed off that pick to Washington for multiple first and second round picks in order to draft Robert Griffin III.
People will say there’s no way that happens. Maybe not to that same level, but it’s clear enough San Francisco holds a good degree of leverage in their spot. It remains to be seen whether other teams will call their bluff.