The San Francisco 49ers currently own the second overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, which kicks off on April 27. There is no doubt that the team would like to move down and acquire more picks in the process. The 49ers are starting a rebuild and more opportunities to capitalize on potential draft prospects would help.
One possible trade partner could be the Carolina Panthers, who are currently sitting at the number eight overall spot. The Sacramento Bee reports that there is a lot of chatter that the Panthers are looking to move up and the 49ers' first-round pick could be their target.
Lots of talk/rumor about Carolina (picking at No. 8) trying to obtain #49ers' No. 2 pick. Told there's nothing currently in the works.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 29, 2017
The Panthers also own two second-round picks – the 40th and 64th overall selections.
As Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee points out, nothing is currently in the works. Of course, that could change in the days leading up to the draft as is often the case with pre-draft trades.
A trade with Carolina would still give the 49ers a high pick while allowing them more ammo to refill their depleted roster.
Until something more substantial is reported, this can be categorized as a rumor. Often, trade rumors like this pop up prior to the draft with nothing ever coming of them.
The top spot in the draft belongs to the Cleveland Browns and it is widely predicted that they will select DE Myles Garrett out of Texas A&M.
In 2016, the top two selections in the draft were both acquired via trades.
