Carolina Panthers Draft: 4 possible trade down partners
By Dean Jones
San Francisco 49ers
The NFC Champions have room to maneuver after trading DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for their 12th overall pick. This could see the Niners’ moving up into the top ten to get one of the elite wide receiver prospects.
This would give quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a primary weapon in the passing game that he sorely needs after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency. CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs III, and Jerry Jeudy are expected to be in high demand and the 49ers will not want to lose out on their preferred choice.
The Carolina Panthers’ No. 7 pick is an enticing prospect for the Niners. They would only need to jump a few spots and it could be a risk worth taking.
This would also give the Panthers more options to add depth going forward. It seems like a win-win situation. But much will depend on how the top-end of the Draft goes and which players are taken.
The Niners might end up waiting for either of the trio mentioned. One should be available by the time they are on the clock. But if the decision-makers have taken a shine to a particular prospect then moving up is the only way of guaranteeing the franchise acquires his services.
If this is a route San Francisco goes down, then the Panthers should be one of the first teams that get a call.