The 49ers have 11 draft picks and not nearly enough needs to find roster spots for all -- or even half -- of them. And so it’s reasonable to think that the 49ers may try to make a move up come draft day.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen was the first to articulate the theory of a San Francisco surprise last week, suggesting that they possibly will be trying to get receiver Mike Evans.
Whether it’s Evans or someone else, the 49ers wouldn’t move up unless they had a specific player for whom they wanted to move. Last year, the Niners jumped from No. 31 to No. 18 to get safety Eric Reid, filling a glaring need after the departure of Dashon Goldson via free agency.
They don’t have nearly the same need at receiver. Anquan Boldin re-signed. Michael Crabtree is still on the roster. Ditto for Vernon Davis, who recently told Pro Football Talk on NBCSN that he views himself as a receiver.
Unless the 49ers plan to move on from Crabtree (whose contract is up after this year) or Davis, it could make more sense to target another more certain need, like pass rusher (given Aldon Smith’s tenuous status) or inside linebacker (given NaVorro Bowman’s serious knee injury).
Regardless, the 49ers have the ability to make a move. They simply need the motivation and the opportunity.