NFL Draft: 49ers trade to No. 3 pick means a run on quarterbacks is likely

The 49ers made the first huge move of the 2021 NFL Draft, moving up to the No. 3 overall pick, switching spots with the Dolphins, and signaling a move to the rest of the league as a result. 

If teams want a quarterback in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers just set the tone for what they’ll be expected to do. Per Adam Schefter, the 49ers and Dolphins swapped spots, meaning San Francisco now moves up to No. 3 while Miami gets the No. 12 pick as well as a third-rounder, and the Niners’ next first two-round picks. It’s a massive deal and it’s obvious what the 49ers are planning on doing.

The message has now been sent to the rest of the league who thought they might be able to land a quarterback in the first round. With four quarterbacks considered top 10 talent and now three quarterback-needy teams in the top three spots, whoever wants to land the fourth signal-caller in the group better trade up to the fourth pick now. That’s assuming the Falcons are willing to trade the pick.

The NFL Draft will see a run on quarterbacks early, thanks to this trade.

Obviously, Trevor Lawrence is going No. 1 to the Jaguars. That’s been obvious since Jacksonville clinched the top pick in the draft and it won’t change no matter what kind of buzz is out there.

Zach Wilson has really moved up the draft boards in recent weeks and has been linked to the Jets, who are picking at No. 2, quite frequently. It’ll be interesting to find out if the Niners reached out to the Jets about swapping spots or if they decided to settle on the No. 3 pick instead.

Wilson isn’t guaranteed to go No. 2 and the 49ers will likely jump at the chance to take him if New York does decide to keep Sam Darnold and go with Penei Sewell or a wide receiver. If Wilson is off the board, however, San Francisco has their pick between either Justin Fields or Trey Lance.

The Falcons have the No. 4 pick and this now puts them in an interesting spot. Matt Ryan is getting older and this would be the best chance to replace him, but there are so many other needs on their team. If someone calls and offers them a king’s ransom for the No. 4 spot, would Atlanta take it or would they stick with their draft spot and take the last remaining quarterback out of the four?

The 49ers sent the first major wave through the NFL Draft and it’ll be fun to see what happens next.