2021 NFL Draft: Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson lead trade-filled mock draft
2021 NFL Draft 1st round, 12th pick
Pick Analysis. WR. player. 50. Scouting Report. Alabama. Jaylen Waddle. 12
TRADE: Detroit Lions trade QB Matthew Stafford to San Francisco 49ers for 12th pick, additional picks
QB. Matthew Stafford. 9. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. . 42
Big trade alert — Matt Stafford to the San Francisco 49ers in this mock draft.
The trade compensation could be debated all day long, but the reality is that the Lions are going to get a first-round pick for Stafford if they decide to trade him. There would be too much demand for him and with multiple years of team control on his contract, the Lions are almost doing another team a favor by trading him.
The 49ers are in a unique position where trading for Stafford would actually save them a few million against the 2021 salary cap if they also moved on from Jimmy Garoppolo.
More on Jimmy G. later.
Stafford’s inclusion in San Francisco immediately elevates that team back to NFC contender. Even though Stafford has dealt with his share of health issues, Garoppolo has simply become far too unreliable in recent years.
For the Lions, you get additional capital and after trading up for Zach Wilson earlier in this mock draft, you get Jaylen Waddle here in the early portion of round one.
Waddle carries some risk coming off of injury, but assuming he gets back to full strength sooner rather than later, this could wind up being a steal as Waddle is one of the biggest speed threats in the class and is such a natural in the open field.