49ers move up to No. 3 in 2021 NFL Draft after trade with Dolphins
Mar 26, 2021, 11:03 AM
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly quarterback hunting.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday the 49ers have acquired the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the 12th pick, a 2021 third-round pick and two first-round picks (2022, 2023).
The 49ers’ third-rounder is the team’s compensation pick for former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who is now the New York Jets’ head coach.
Schefter adds that while the 49ers are squarely in the mix to land a rookie quarterback, the team has no plans on trading starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
“Jimmy is here to stay. Here’s our guy this year,” a 49ers source told Schefter after the trade.
The Dolphins weren’t done dealing Friday, reportedly trading the No. 12 pick and a 2022 first-rounder to the Eagles for the sixth overall pick, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The two sides also swapped mid-round picks, according to Schefter.
Updated top 12 picks in 2021 NFL Draft
1) Jaguars
2) Jets
3) 49ers (from HOU through MIA)
4) Falcons
5) Bengals
6) Dolphins (from PHI)
7) Lions
8) Panthers
9) Broncos
10) Cowboys
11) Giants
12) Eagles (from SF through MIA)— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) March 26, 2021
The 49ers have already been at work this offseason in solidifying main pieces up front, re-signing LT Trent Williams long term and adding center Alex Mack to the mix.
With Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence as the presumed No.1 pick in the draft, that leaves the 49ers with either BYU’s Zach Wilson, Ohio State’s Justin Fields or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance at No. 3.
Wilson had the better 2020, compiling 43 total touchdowns (33 passing, 10 rushing) in 12 games. Fields came in with 27 total scores (22 passing, five rushing) in eight showings. Before sitting out last season, Lance recorded 42 total touchdowns (28 passing, 14 rushing) in 2019.
Entering his fifth season with the 49ers, Garoppolo has started 30 games, completing 67.5% of his passes for 7,352 yards and 46 touchdowns. He’s thrown 26 interceptions.
It’s been a rocky road for the signal caller since being traded from New England in 2017. Garoppolo has just one season with at least 10 passing touchdowns, a 27-score effort in 2019. The 49ers would go on to lose in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fast forward to 2020, however, and it’s a different story. Garoppolo went 3-3 as a starter with just over 1,000 yards passing and seven touchdowns. He suffered an ankle sprain and missed two games due to injury. Backup Nick Mullens started more games (eight) than Garoppolo. As a result, the team went 6-10 as it dealt with injuries and poor play throughout the season.
Per Spotrac, Garoppolo is due $25 million in 2021 that locks in at Week 1. He has $2.8 million of dead cap until June 1. He has $1.4 million dead the rest of the year and next year.