The San Francisco 49ers could be gearing up for a trade in the NFL draft for 2014 with the Oakland Raiders, as the team has enough draft picks to make a move into the top five to draft Sammy Watkins and as that is a possibility, the Niners may also be looking at Champ Bailey, Sidney Rice or Nate Burleson as free agent options if DeSean Jackson signs with the Washington Redskins.
The Niners were mentioned as a potential destination for Jackson when he was mentioned in trade rumors and that came for the same reasons as the Raiders talk, because the 49ers have double digit draft picks for the second straight season. According to ESPN.com, the Niners are one team that is likely to make a move on draft day, as they come in with 11 draft picks after getting some compensatory picks and that means Jim Harbaugh has the flexibility to trade up if he wants and still have a solid draft.
Last season the team moved up to take Eric Reid and they have previously done the same when they took Colin Kaepernick. The team does not have room for 11 draft picks, so it makes sense that they would look to a trade and that is why many thought the team would be in the mix to trade for DeSean Jackson when he was still with the Eagles. The Niners need a wide receiver and that fueled speculation that they would be in the running for Jackson, who now appears to be close to a deal with the Redskins. The team is looking to bring him in after he made 82 catches last season for over 1,300 yards and five touchdowns.
The Niners would have been a good fit, as they need someone younger behind Anquan Boldin and with Michael Crabtree coming off of surgery having depth will be important. The Niners have been linked to a potential deal for Sammy Watkins and ESPN.com proposes that since the Raiders have a QB in Matt Schaub and have only six draft picks, they could be a perfect option to deal. The Raiders need more weapons for Schaub after giving up a pick for him and they also gave up a pick last season for Matt Flynn and this could be a way to get one or two back. The team has three picks in the seventh round and two that can be traded in the third and they also have flexibility with the second rounder they have from the Chiefs in the Alex Smith deal.
ESPN.com reports that the team could look at Sidney Rice as a backup option at wide receiver and they are also looking for some veteran help at corner after Carlos Rogers signed with the Raiders. Champ Bailey is on the market still and is coming in for a visit and this comes after the team also lost Tarrell Brown and they have been linked to Justin Gilbert in the draft as well. The 49ers are one of the most consistent teams in the league, but they ranked 30th in passing last season in yards per game and would love to add some firepower to the offense.
