In my opinion the Niner's have four critical needs this off-season:
QB
OLB
CB
NT
With Franklin looking likely to test FA, NT ranks as the 2nd most important position that needs to be filled after QB . With no NT, the Niners don't have a 3-4 defense.
The option of trading down really comes down to a simple question imho. Do the Niners think that A) Patrick Peterson will fall, or B) Prince is a franchise CB. The drop off from Prince to the next player is pretty steep from what I can see. If the Niners feel comfortable with targeting a veteran FA CB, then they could look to move down.
Here is a crazy complicated sequence of trades they could consider:
Trade #1 (this is the key to my entire theory)
San Francisco Trades:
Rd 1/pick 7 (1/7) = 1500 points
3/76= 210 points
Total = 1710
Houston Trades:
1/11 = 1250
2/42 = 480
total = 1730
This is based on the idea that the Texans really want Prince Ak, and see him as a franchise CB who can be a game changer in their secondary.
Here are three following options with either NE or San Diego.
Trade Options #2 New England:
1/17 = 950
2/60 =1250
SF from Houston
1/11 = 1250
For the Niners
At 17, the Niners would target Phil Taylor, Butler as their NT of the future. This would give the Niner's a total of 3 2nd round picks (their 45, Houston's 42, and NE's 60). This should give them plenty of ammo to trade up to get a QB in the late 1st or early second.
For the Pats
If they see a franchise player at #11, they have enough ammo to reach up and nab them.
-OR-
Trade Option #3 San Diego
SF
1/11 = 1250
7/200= 11.4
Total = 1261
SD
1/18 = 900
2/61 = 292
4/114= 66
Total =1258
Read the comments from Trade Option #2
Trade Option #4 San Diego
SF
1/11 = 1250
4/114= 66
total=1316
SD
1/18 = 900
2/50 = 400
total = 1300
Bottom line, the Niners pull of a Bill Walshian draft. They end up with a 1st round pick in the late teens to grab Phil Taylor. They also end up with 3 x 2nd round picks to cash in on the depth of this draft. They can either grab three players they like, OR they can trade back into the 1st to try to grab a QB like Ponder.
Regardless of what happens during the draft, they probably still have to spend FA money on a veteran QB and CB. But if they eliminate A. Franklin's big FA salary and cut/renegotiate Clements deal, it should open up some money to get this all done.
Whew...ok, I'm done.