The San Francisco 49ers currently have 13 picks in this year's NFL Draft. That is the most of any team. With a large amount of picks comes speculation that the team will trade up. They have picks to give, making them the primary target of other teams looking to move down the draft board. At this moment, the 49ers will not make their first selection until the No. 31 overall pick. The team is reportedly interested into moving up to grab safety Matt Elam or Eric Reid.
The 49ers are looking to jump up to the No. 13 or No. 14 overall pick in order to get the best safety in the draft class. The team let starter Dashon Goldson walk away to Tampa Bay in free agency and have yet to replace him. They still have Donte Whitner, but would like someone to place alongside him. The team has had their eye on Florida safety Elam, and may try and trade up to get him.
While Elam is not considered one of the best overall players in the draft, he has been on the 49ers' radar for most of the scouting process. He played against a tough SEC conference loaded with NFL talent has a lot of potential to build off the skillset he already has. Elam is known for being a strong tackler that can provide and effective blitz along with the ability to create multiple turnovers. He has multiple teams considering him in the first-round, including the Green Bay Packers who select at No. 26. If the 49ers are able to trade up, he is their likely option.
If Elam is gone before the 49ers can grab him, Eric Reid is their next best option. With a safety being their primary first pick, Reid falls just below Elam. Another strong SEC talent, Reid has seen his draft stock rise in recent weeks after looking impressive during workouts. While he had a slightly down year in 2012, Reid's athleticism and all-around football knowledge keep him as a solid pick in the draft. Multiple draft experts have Reid as a potential rookie of the year if placed with the right team.
The 49ers will not enter the draft with 13 picks and walk away with 13 players. They will likely trade up or trade away a number of those picks for better options. With many teams looking to possible move down in the draft order, San Francisco could see their hopes of moving into the middle of the first round come true.
