The San Francisco 49ers ultimately gave themselves the opportunity to select a new franchise quarterback by trading up for the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
Before moving up the board, however, the 49ers reportedly expressed interest in former New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.
Cecil Lammey of DenverFan.com and Footballguys.com reported the 49ers offered a first-round pick in exchange for Darnold. Lammey added the Jets previously expressed reservations with respect to top QB prospect Zach Wilson's shoulder, but those concerns were alleviated after watching Wilson's Pro Day.
Ah, what might have been. League sources tell me #Jets turned down #49ers first-round pick for Sam Darnold earlier this offseason. Joe Douglas & co. had concerns about Zach Wilson's shoulder & wanted to see his pro day. Now, super confident & will likely be no2 pick #NFLDraft
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) April 14, 2021
Pretty remarkable to think about the haul the Jets could have obtained for Darnold had they fully committed to taking a new signal-caller with the second pick.
New York still did well in its return after trading Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. The Jets acquired a sixth-round choice in the 2021 NFL draft as well as a second- and fourth-round pick in 2022. It was most certainly a win considering many executives believed the former No. 3 overall pick would not net much more than a third-rounder.
That said, it sure would have been something to nab a first-round pick for Darnold, especially since the Jets are primed to take Wilson at No. 2, anyway.
The 49ers, meanwhile, have a big choice to make with the third overall pick, assuming both Trevor Lawrence and Wilson go 1-2 as expected. There has been a lot of buzz suggesting that the 49ers will take Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, but Justin Fields and Trey Lance are both options to consider as well.
San Francisco could just as easily be integrating Darnold into the offense right now had the Jets taken them up on their offer. Jets general manager Joe Douglas might have had another first-round pick to play with and a decent one at that.
Alas, fans can only wonder, “What if?”
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