Missing out on a coveted prospect during the NFL Draft is a gut-wrenching feeling, and the San Francisco 49ers were looking to avoid that feeling on Thursday night.
San Francisco used the No. 11 overall pick on Mykel Williams, but 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that he was worried that the Georgia University pass rusher would be gone before the 49ers were on the clock.
“We had a good idea he was going earlier,” Shanahan said, per San Francisco 49ers On SI.
Not wanting to see Williams go to another franchise, 49ers general manager John Lynch attempted to trade up from No. 11, but to no avail.
“We thought about going up, and John definitely attempted for a second… but they shot him down,” Shanahan added.
The benefit of hindsight makes a trade-up for Williams look foolish. The five teams picking ahead of the 49ers drafted offensive players, so San Francisco had no real competition for the pass rusher’s services.
Nonetheless, it’s easy to understand why Lynch and Shanahan were willing to make a move. With 11 picks at their disposal, the 49ers could afford to unload some draft capital if it meant securing the prospect they wanted.
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The 49ers also have plenty of holes to fill on defense after a mass exodus in free agency, so securing Williams as the Robin to Nick Bosa’s Batman is a great way to start replenishing the pass rush.
While the trade rejection certainly had San Francisco’s brass sweating through the first 10 picks, it all worked out in the end as the 49ers got their guy without having to give up future assets.
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