NFL boasts successful off season as draft fills needs

Jack Calonico ’19 and Stephen Blecha ’19
May 17, 2019

After much anticipation, the NFL Draft commenced on April 25.

For the past three years, the 49ers have had top 10 picks in the first the first round. In the past, it’s routine that the Niners go defensive line with their number one pick, and this trend continued in 2019.

Dillon Fullerton ’19 said, “The 49ers’ biggest need on defense is an edge rusher and maybe a new player for the secondary if we trade back.”

The top two candidates for the Niners, according to various mock drafts, were Nick Bosa, Ohio State; and Quinnen Williams, Alabama.

John Lynch, GM of the 49ers, said in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, “We are open to trading and even if they go back one spot, that may put us out of the Nick Bosa sweepstakes. On paper, Bosa is the best player for the most glaring need and makes that defensive line filthy.”

The last need of the San Francisco 49ers heading into the 2019 NFL Draft is some secondary help. The Niners only racked up one pick six last year which is not the formula to a winning record.

“Although their starters are coming back from season ending injuries in 2018, the Niners still need some help back there,” Mike Estrada ’19 said about the 49ers secondary.

In a recent article in the Chronicle, the 49ers owner said the team was leaning towards a Bosa pick. Michael Jaurigui ’19 said, “Nick Bosa is a tank, that’s not great, but he’ll be good for the Niners regardless.”

In addition to the draft, the NFL off season was off to a hot start. The Steelers Pro Bowl running back Le’veon Bell signed with the New York Jets (of New Jersey) and Legion of Boom captain Earl Thomas III has signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

However, probably the most notable move of the offseason was the Giants trading star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. tothe Cleveland Browns, buffingan already stacked receiving corps of tight end David Njoku and wide receiver Jarvis Landry, Beckham’s teammate from LSU.The Giants received a first round pick, third round pick, and safety Jabrill Peppers in return.

Another notable trade this offseason has been the Oakland Raiders trading for longtime Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. This trade removes the second of three key pieces of the offense that had made the playoffs in the last four years together, missing last year in wake of the Le’veon Bell season long holdout.

A third trade with potential to be key is the Arizona Cardinals trading second year quarterback to the Miami Dolphins. This comes after the Cards took two- sport quarterback Kyler Murray first overall in the 2019 draft. Murray is expected to be the day one starter, having unsigned from playing baseball for the Oakland Athletics. He also became the first player ever to be selected in the first round of both the MLB and NFL draft.