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How John Lynch Looked Like a Veteran GM

By Dylan Huberman

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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People questioned why the 49ers gave John Lynch a hefty long-term deal to become the general manager without any prior experience. After the first night of the NFL Draft, the questions turn to praise.

The 49ers came into the opening night of the 2017 NFL Draft with the second overall pick. New GM John Lynch said that the Niners would wait to draft their quarterback of the future. However, most people thought Lynch would bite the bait and select Mitch Trubisky with the second pick.

Well, he followed through on his promise, passing on Trubisky. Lynch dealt the second pick to the Chicago Bears, who scooped up the former North Carolina quarterback. In return, the 49ers received a bounty of picks from the Bears including the third overall pick, a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in this draft, and a third-rounder in 2018.

Now, how exactly did Lynch get the Bears to pay such a hefty price to move up a single spot in the draft? Well, the fact that the 49ers themselves unquestionably need a quarterback of the future had a lot to do with it. Lynch could have very easily snagged Trubisky, but he knew the Bears wanted him more. And oh boy did they, as they mortgaged four picks on him. Well done Mr. Lynch.

With the third overall selection, Lynch and company pulled the trigger on Stanford standout Solomon Thomas. Thomas is nearly as highly acclaimed as first overall pick Myles Garrett. However, he comes at a cheaper price for a team in dire need of his services. At this point, the 49ers already have a future star that they had wanted all along and two other high draft picks from Chicago.

But they weren’t done just yet. Reuben Foster, a once surefire top-ten selection, slid way down until late in the first round. Lynch got on the phone with the Seattle Seahawks and ended up acquiring the 31st overall pick for a second rounder and Chicago’s fourth rounder from the earlier trade.

With the 31st overall pick, the 49ers ended Reuben Foster’s slide down the board. They snatched top-ten talent for their second rounder and fourth rounder that they hauled in from Chicago earlier in the night. Lynch took in two elite talents in the same night while adding a bunch of other picks in the process.

Day two may not be as eventful for the Niners, however, as they don’t own a second-round pick. Fans have nothing to be upset about after last night. For one thing, the fact that they still have some picks in the third round is exciting. Does John Lynch have any more tricks in his bag for the second night?

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