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With 49ers Draft Pick Trade, The NFC West Gets More Intense

San Francisco likely to choose QB of the future

The Cardinals, of course, have Kyler Murray, still on his rookie deal but with his inevitable extension approaching. The Seahawks have Russell Wilson (for now). The Rams have Matthew Stafford, as he presumably enters the last chapter of his career.

The 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo, but for how long? Clearly, after the Niners made a huge trade Friday to get the No. 3 overall pick in the draft from the Dolphins, the landscape of 2021 and beyond for the NFC West has seismically shifted once again.

The Niners are definitely moving up for a quarterback of the future. Why else would you send your own first-rounder this year (No. 12 overall) plus your first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 plus a third-rounder in 2022? It's a hefty haul. But again, as we saw with the Cardinals. who decided Kyler was worth dumping Josh Rosen after a season, if you think you can get your QBOTF, you get him.

All the reports say the 49ers want to keep Jimmy G this season, that he's the starter this year, that he can drive the 49ers to a comeback season while the rookie QB learns. We'll see about that. All offseason there have been rumblings the Patriots want Jimmy G back.

What QB the Niners target is also interesting. At No. 3, there is an unknown. Trevor Lawrence is going to go No. 1 to Jacksonville. The Jets have played it close to the vest, but while I'm writing this BYU's Zach Wilson is having a heck of a pro day and many assume Sam Darnold's days are numbered in New York. That would still leave Ohio State's Justin Fields or North Dakota State's Trey Lance, both of whom could give the Niners their own version of Kyler or Russell Wilson.

At the same time, the Cardinals are the only NFC West team with a first-round pick in the 2022 draft, thanks to trades. Meanwhile, each of the four teams in the division are pushing hard not only for the postseason but a far postseason run in 2021. The division isn't getting any easier.

LB Chandler Jones sacks 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo in a 2019 home game
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