Realistic Draft Trade Possibilities for the San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is not afraid to pull the trigger on draft-day trades.

In 2013, Baalke moved up to the No. 18 slot to select LSU safety Eric Reid. Last year, the 49ers general manager executed a number of moves in the middle rounds. His unique ability to stockpile picks and move up or down within the draft has earned him the accolade of being a "draft ninja." 

The 49ers could make similar moves in the 2015 NFL draft. The question is whether such transactions would be in their best interest.

Baalke has also avoided making such trades when the asking price was too high. Such was the case with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in last year's draft—aspects of which are described further by Eric Branch of SFGate.com.

San Francisco has the No. 15 overall pick in the draft and nine picks (including two compensatory) overall.

"

#49ers 2015 Draft picks: Rd 1 - 15th overall 2 - 46th 3 - 79th 4 - 126th, 132nd 5 - 151st 6 - 189th 7 - 246th, 254th Can't trade 132/254

— Christian Gin (@Christian_Gin) March 24, 2015"

Unlike previous seasons—the 49ers selected 12 players in 2014—Baalke doesn't have a plethora of picks with which to work. And after free-agent departures that included running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, left guard Mike Iupati and cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox, San Francisco will need to address some specific needs.

But transactions could still happen.

According to Walter Football's draft value chart, which specifies a given value for each pick, Baalke could move up or down in the draft if the added value is right and both parties agree. Same-year picks or future considerations can also be a part of the equation.

So which realistic trade possibilities are out there in 2015?

49ers Trade Up from No. 15 to No. 11 with the Minnesota Vikings

Scenario: San Francisco sends its Round 1 and Round 3 picks to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the No. 11 overall pick. 

The 49ers could use a cornerback in 2015 after the free-agent departures of Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox. While the defense boasts a number of backs on the roster, a shutdown defensive back would help perpetuate a 49ers secondary that ranked No. 5 in the NFL last season with just 3,531 passing yards allowed.

Two impact corners top the rankings in the draft: Michigan State's Trae Waynes and Washington's Marcus Peters.

Waynes is ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in the draft, per CBS Sports, and CBS' draft analysts Rob Rang, Dane Brugler and Pete Prisco all have Waynes going to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 11 in their latest mock.

Nearly as talented, if not more so, Peters is mocked by Brugler and Prisco to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 22. His character concerns and red flags are likely the reasons why Peters has dropped. 

If this holds true and the 49ers are not set on Peters' issues, Waynes would be the ideal target. But he would likely require a trade-up on the part of Trent Baalke.

"

I've said that Trae Waynes could be in play for 49ers at 15, I don't believe so anymore. Could possibly slide Marcus Peters in there now.

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) February 24, 2015"

Sending off a third-round pick should be enough to convince the Minnesota Vikings, who have plenty of holes to fill, to move down from No. 11. 

But San Francisco has its own concerns, and that Round 3 selection could be missed should Baalke execute this move.

49ers Trade Down from No. 15 to No. 20 in a Deal with the Eagles

Scenario: San Francisco moves from No. 15 to No. 20 by acquiring the Philadelphia Eagles' first- and third-round picks.

Keeping with the needs of the secondary and combining it with Trent Baalke's ability to stockpile picks, another feasible move would be a Round 1 trade-down.

Cornerback Byron Jones is one prospect who has been linked to San Francisco.

"

Per @TonyPauline, 49ers to host CB Byron Jones on Tuesday http://t.co/8KguUXfQ9F pic.twitter.com/hdz5Eljl9z

— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) April 14, 2015"

Unlike the dated description in the above video, Jones will likely not be a Day 2 target. His draft stock has increased to a first-round selection, per CBS Sports. But the 49ers could target Jones and net another 2015 pick by moving down in Round 1 to select him.

The Philadelphia Eagles have already been associated with draft-day trades—further outlined by Bryn Swartz of Bleacher Report.

Jones has been mocked to Philadelphia by Dane Brugler of CBS Sports. But if head coach Chip Kelly wants to make a move, one could be had at the expense of the Eagles' own Round 3 pick.

And Baalke would still be getting good value in a player like Jones while adding another pick to his arsenal.

49ers Replicate 2014 Day 2 Trades

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

General manager Trent Baalke has been able to stockpile picks through a flurry of draft-day moves.

Scenario: 49ers trade down on Day 2, perhaps with multiple teams and for future considerations.

Understanding Trent Baalke's various trades in the 2014 NFL draft could be hazardous to one's health. But David Neumann of Niners Nation outlined the various transactions that took place on the second day of that year's draft.

To sum things up, Baalke acquired wideout Stevie Johnson for a conditional 2015 fourth-round pick. Baalke then sent two picks to the Denver Broncos in exchange for three picks (including a 2015 Round 4 selection).

Baalke then moved down in an exchange with the Miami Dolphins, which netted an additional pick that year. He then traded down with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns, respectively—moves that also gained Baalke more picks.

To sum things up, per Neumann:

"49ers net gain: 57th, 70th, 106th, 150th and 180th picks in [2014] draft, 2015 fourth-round pick, WR Stevie Johnson.

49ers net loss: 56th, 61st and 94th picks in [2014] draft."

The possibilities of Baalke executing a similar move or moves are nearly endless. San Francisco's general manager has done something like this before, and it shouldn't be ruled out again.

Such deals would be beneficial if Baalke is targeting the best players available and has a relatively large big board as the draft approaches the middle rounds.

49ers Trade off Linebacker Ahmad Brooks

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks has already been linked to trade rumors prior to the draft.

Scenario: San Francisco uses outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks as a trade piece to either move up in a round or stockpile additional picks.

31-year-old veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks is no stranger to trade rumors. In fact, Brooks was subject to such rumors prior to last season's trade deadline per Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

"

One surprising name not out there but shopped b4 trade deadline: 49er LB Ahmad Brooks. CLE was in talks but then 49ers bailed on it late

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 2, 2014"

Brooks, who was tied for the team lead in sacks last year (six), became somewhat of an excess thanks to the emergence of rookie linebacker Aaron Lynch. Speculation would lead one to believe that Lynch will receive an increase in playing time in his second pro season alongside fellow linebacker Aldon Smith.

That leaves less room for Brooks, who had already been benched two games in 2014.

There is a thought that head coach Jim Tomsula could move Brooks to inside linebacker—the position at which he broke into the NFL—given the retirements of linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland.

But, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, Tomsula stated that the team hasn't given thought to this idea just yet.

If this remains the case, could Brooks be used as part of a trade during the draft?

It's difficult to speculate exactly what San Francisco would get in return if Trent Baalke were to shop Brooks. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin was brought in from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Would Brooks receive anything higher?

Perhaps a more likely scenario would be using Brooks as part of a trade-up package that would give the 49ers an ability to move up in a specific round or to stockpile added picks for 2016.

If the 49ers don't figure on Brooks receiving as much playing time this season, such a move may be smart.

49ers Secure a Second Pick in Round 1

Scenario: San Francisco uses its own first-round pick but sends off its own second- and third-round picks to the New Orleans Saints for pick No. 31.

Landing two first-round selections could very well be the best option for San Francisco on draft day if general manager Trent Baalke could make it work.

With their first pick, the 49ers draft a specific player of need. Perhaps an impact prospect like defensive backs Marcus Peters or Trae Waynes would be the initial target. But with added needs, and the likelihood of a target not slipping to San Francisco in Round 2, another trade up could provide an added boost.

An additional need for the 49ers is to bolster their wide receiver position. With veteran wideout Anquan Boldin entering a contract year, San Francisco could afford to make a splash at this position. And few prospects are enticing, yet equally polarizing, as Oklahoma receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.

At 6'5" and 237 pounds, Green-Beckham has the size, physicality and speed that would make him one of the most dangerous deep and red-zone threats on the field. Yet off-the-field concerns have caused his draft stock to fall. CBS Sports has him ranked as the No. 32 overall prospect.

If Green-Beckham is drafted around this slot, he would fall directly in between the 49ers' first two existing picks. It's unlikely this prospect would be around for San Francisco's own Round 2 selection.

But trading back into Round 1 is an option. According to Walter Football's draft value chart, sending their second- and third-round picks to the New Orleans Saints could land the 49ers the No. 31 pick in the draft. The numbers add up.

With that selection, San Francisco would be in a prime position to grab Green-Beckham and possess a receiver with one of the most unique skill sets available in the draft.

Hopefully his off-the-field concerns would be a thing of the past.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Supplemental draft information courtesy of CBS Sports.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.

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