With no consensus #1 pick could San Fran Pass???

[Justin_Case]

I was reading this article on cnnsi.com by Don Banks (link at bottom) about the draft and I remembered the other year when a team (I think it was Minnesota) missed their turn to draft and went afterwards.

I was thinking that if San Fran can't unload their top pick (which they probably won't) then is it at least possible that they would consider skipping their turn and drafting in the #3-5 spots instead?

Now before you all call me crazy, which you have every right to do, here's my reasoning why it is possible:

SF can't really get the value they want for a #1 pick and #1 money that they would normally get or would have had if Leinart was in the draft. As most people have said (and is mentioned in the article) there is not real consensus #1 or even top 5 so they could likely get the same person they really like at 4 or 5 as at 1. Now this would only be feasible if by passing they would not have to pay #1 money to whoever they draft later. I'm sure the agent will insist that it was just a ploy and the player should still get #1 money wherever SF takes him. Does anyone remember if Minnesota or whoever it was that did this before got any kind of discount on the contract they paid because they drafted the player later?

I know I'm probably going to get ripped because this is a crazy thought but I just wanted to open it to discussion to see if it is a possibility at all. What do you think???

Here's the CNNSI.com article and it doesn't say anything about this being a possibility.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/w ... ml?cnn=yes

[no1cowboysfan]

SF won't pass... #1 picks, while not great this year, can still fetch SOMETHING. If they don't like the situation, they'll likely trade down.

[steelyeri]

I agree. If they really wated to trade down that badly, They could trade down and accept the #3 or 4 overall and a lower round draft pick like a sixth or seventh rounder. I doubt they do that however. A #1 pick overall is extremely valuable and I doubt that they just give it away like that. If they do trade down expect them to get atleast a first and second rounder in return.

[Trainer of Dolphins]

I beleive the 49 ers have said already they are keeping the pick. The Vikings did let the time expire and ended up picking late one year. I dont remember if it was when they drafted Bryant McKinney or if it was Kevin Williams. I know McKinney took forever to sign so maybe it was him and the draft place was the problem but again I cant remember for sure

[MadScott]

I beleive the 49 ers have said already they are keeping the pick. The Vikings did let the time expire and ended up picking late one year. I dont remember if it was when they drafted Bryant McKinney or if it was Kevin Williams. I know McKinney took forever to sign so maybe it was him and the draft place was the problem but again I cant remember for sure

As far as I've heard, the 49ers have not said anything about keeping the pick.

I was reading a very similar article about the lack of a consensus top choice in the draft hurting the 49ers chances to trade this pick. I'm sure as the combine goes on, someone will emerge with some great #s that will blow the socks off of some team and they will perhaps be inclined to trade up to get that someone. No way does an NFL team pass on a draft selection all together though, no matter what the Vikings tried last year.

[bagobonez]

I have expected them to trade down all along after Leinart announced he would be staying.

The 49ers have too many needs to fill to simply sit at #1 and take just one player, when they could trade down and fill two or three needs instead of just one. Plus I think the organization will want to get one more year to look at Tim Rattay and see if he is starting material or not.

Kevan Barlow appears to be a bust, so they may want to replace him, and trading down would be the best way.

[proKrastinate]

since this is a relatively week draft class, i'd love to trade for future picks more so than 2005 picks. if we could shore up some future first rounders, than we could hit the FA market or even draft some decent linemen, and pickup Lienhart next year with some more dealing.