Draft Assets Are Too Valuable

It’s vital for the sustained success of a franchise to capitalize on making successful selections in the NFL Draft. The cost to retain building block talents is substantial and with many on the same roster for a team like the San Francisco 49ers, it’s especially important.

When looking back, one doesn’t have to go back far to see an example related to the 49ers. Earlier in the offseason, San Francisco traded DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 13 pick due to salary cap reasons. That selection was used on defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

There wasn’t much for the 49ers to work with in the 2020 NFL Draft, in particular. The pick acquired in the Buckner trade along with trading up to No. 25 for Brandon Aiyuk were San Francisco’s only draft choices until the sixth round as a result of previous deals.

Having to part with a pair of first-round picks in order to land Jamal Adams could have prevented the 49ers from making needed selections. The short-term wouldn’t have been overly troubling with Adams under his rookie deal, but after that, the effects would surely be felt.