49ers cap Offseason flurry by Trading up to No. 3 spot in April's Draft

One week of NFL free-agency in the books and the San Francisco 49ers have checked off the list of many of their top priorities this offseason. Of the many moves the franchise has made thus far, it was the deal to bring back fullback Kyle Juszczyk that kicked things off for general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan. Striking a deal to bring back the versatile Juszczyk, Shanahan's offensive system has allowed the 5-time Pro Bowl fullback to flourish whether he's run-blocking or receiving. Playing a position that has become somewhat of a dying breed in today's NFL, Juszczyk remains one of the 49ers' most lethal weapons in San Francisco's run-heavy scheme, which has helped him enjoy Pro Bowl campaigns in each of his previous four seasons as a 49er. Thus 49ers brass made it a priority of theirs to retain Juice for another five-years, inking him to a $27 Million contract. The front-office also made noise on defense, bringing in a new face in defensive-end Samson Ebukam (two-year deal), formerly of the rival L.A. Rams, while also seeing the return of multiple key players. 

Cornerbacks Jason Verrett (one-year), Dontae Johnson (one-year), Emmanuel Moseley (two-years) and K'Waun Williams (one-year) all returned to the Bay Area for another go around in San Francisco's secondary, as did safety Jaquiski Tartt (one-year). Bolstering the defensive-line, D.J. Jones and Jordan Willis each landed one-year deals to return to the squad as well. As for the biggest move of them all, the duo of Lynch & Shanahan made the earth-shattering deal that made All-Pro tackle Trent Williams the most wealthiest man to ever play the position, as the two sides agreed to a six-year, $138.6 Million pact, the highest-paid contract to an offensive-lineman ever. After making his 8th career Pro Bowl appearance in 2020, the former first round pick with Washington landed himself a huge payday after sitting out all of 2019 due to health concerns and a tiff with team doctors which ultimately led to his trade request out of the nation's capital. Other than the hefty payday, Williams' familiarity in Shanahan's system dating back to their time spent in Washington together, made returning to San Francisco an easy decision for the 32-year old. 

Another new face for the Niners but one Shanahan is also familiar with is center and Cal Berkeley alum Alex Mack who signed a 3-year deal after playing the last five seasons in Atlanta, including a season with Kyle Shanahan as the Falcons' offensive-coordinator in 2016, as well as Shanahan's only season with Cleveland in 2014. But as busy as the 49ers front-office was in free agency, the team also dropped a bombshell in relation to next month's Draft. Originally positioned at the No. 12 slot, the duo of Lynch & Shanahan dealt that pick along with the compensatory third-round pick they acquired with Robert Saleh heading to the Jets, as well as their first-round picks in both 2022 and 2023 to the Dolphins for Miami's No. 3 overall selection. The blockbuster deal was the talk of the town in the football world on Friday and will have "massive ramifications" as ESPN's Adam Schefter put it. With the pick almost certain to be spent on a quarterback, things will now shift to a waiting game in terms of which young quarterback the 49ers brain trust will call upon to be their signal-caller of the future. Rumors have swirled virtually all offseason long with whispers of a possible trade for Jets QB Sam Darnold or Houston's Deshaun Watson to San Francisco, but all signs are pointing to Jimmy Garoppolo being under center for the 49ers, at least for 2021 as GM John Lynch made sure to call Garoppolo shortly after news broke of the big trade, to ensure him that he remains in the team's plans as the projected starter for the upcoming season and will now be asked to tutor his future replacement. 

As Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and BYU's Zach Wilson are practically shoo-ins to be selected with the first and second overall picks by the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively, the 49ers will likely nab one of the following: Justin Fields out of Ohio State, Trey Lance of North Dakota State, or Alabama's Mac Jones. San Francisco will also make selections with the 43rd, 102nd, 117th, 155th, 172nd, 180th, 194th and 230th overall picks. 

Other notable free-agent signings include former Cardinals receiver and return specialist Trent Sherfield, former Colts safety Tavon Wilson and former Panthers defensive-tackle Zach Kerr. 

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