The NFL draft is coming and some teams may look to trade up or down in May and the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers could be potential partners, as head coach Jim Harbaugh loves Sammy Watkins and would draft him over signing DeSean Jackson for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The Raiders are picking at number five in the draft and while they may sit tight and take what is there after the top four teams go, if Oakland loses out on one of their prime targets, a trade could be a potential option. ESPN.com blogger Bill Williamson writes that the Niners have doubel digit draft picks once again heading into the even and since they have 11 now and also have compensatory picks, they could make a big move. While compensatory picks can't be traded, the Niners can use that as flexibility with the other picks they have and Williamson compares it to when the Falcons traded up to get Julio Jones, as the Niners could look to make a big move at a need position after getting to the NFC championship game three years in a row.
The 49ers have a need at wide receiver and that has sparked the reported interest in Jackson, but as of right now the team does not appear to be in the mix to sign him. The 49ers got a third round pick from the compensatory picks and that was huge and now they are in the first round at number 30 and they also have two second round picks and two third round picks that aren't compensatory. The team has three seventh round pick along with fourth and fifth round selections and that could put them in the mix to make a huge deal.
Watkins was extremely productive during his time at Clemson and last season he had 101 catches for 1464 yards and 12 touchdowns and the Niners could use that production. Last season the team ranked 30th in passing with 186 yards per game and they need more behind Anquan Boldin, who is great but getting older, and Michael Crabtree, who is great but is coming off of serious surgery from last year. The team lost Mario Manningham and now they could look to the draft if they want to package a huge deal to get Watkins. The team is also in the mix for Mike Evans and they would have to trade up for him as well.
DeSean Jackson could be an option, but he will cost money after going for 82 catches last season and over 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns for Chip Kelly. His background issues aren't much of a concern, but the team may not want a malcontent on the roster and on top of that, he has interest from a number of other teams. ESPN.com reports that the Niners are unlikely.
