Trades shake up first round of draft for Denver, NFL

The BYU Pro Day starring quarterback Zach Wilson was put on the back-burner Friday morning when the NFL draft became chaotic … 34 days before Jacksonville is on the clock to start the first round.

The first trade, according to ESPN: San Francisco flipped Nos. 12 and 102 in this draft, first- and third-round selections in 2022 and a ’23 first-round pick to Miami for No. 3.

Moments later, Philadelphia announced it had traded Nos. 6 and 156 to the Dolphins for Nos. 12 and 123 and a 2022 first-round pick. Get all that?

The 49ers began preparing for life after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo by moving up to likely take a quarterback — Trey Lance, Justin Fields or maybe even Mac Jones.

The Dolphins are committed to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, added more draft capital and moved back up to No. 6 to take a receiver.

The Eagles are well-positioned to move up from No. 12 if they prefer and could have as many as three first-round picks next year.

And the board could fall right into Broncos general manager George Paton’s mitts at No. 9.

Ten things about the trades and the Broncos:

1. The 49ers must figure Trevor Lawrence-Zach Wilson will go 1-2 to Jacksonville and the New York Jets, respectively, and like one of the other remaining quarterbacks with the third pick. Garoppolo should be on the trade block, and New England should have called right away. The 49ers could roll with Nick Mullens until Lance or Fields or Jones is ready to take over. Trading Jimmy G also would create tremendous salary cap flexibility.

2. The Dolphins backed up their talk about believing in Tagovailoa. They let Ryan Fitzpatrick sign to be Washington’s starter and now are trading out of prime draft-a-quarterback position. By moving back up to No. 6, Miami can now add one of the top receivers (Ja’Marr Chase or Jaylen Waddle) to the mix.

3. Don’t sleep on Philadelphia staying put at No. 12. The Eagles could be an ideal trade partner with the Broncos at No. 9 if receiver Devonta Smith or tight end Kyle Pitts is available. The ninth pick hasn’t been traded since 2016, when Chicago dealt Nos. 11 and 106 to Tampa Bay for No. 9 (outside linebacker Leonard Floyd).

4. Most eyes are now on Atlanta at No. 4. The Falcons’ punitive salary cap situation meant new general manager Terry Fontenot could do only bargain shopping in free agency. Does he take a quarterback even though Matt Ryan moved some of his money into 2022-23 this month? One reason to take a quarterback is if the Falcons even win 1-2 more games this year, that will take them out of Quarterback Derby 2022 (if there is one).

Might the Falcons be willing to trade down to No. 8 with division colleague Carolina? Wouldn’t think so.

5. And now more about the Broncos. If Paton was willing to move up to No. 3, the 49ers’ cost probably took the Broncos out of contention … or it should have. As he said this month, “We do want to bring in competition (at quarterback). We are not going to force it.” Not forcing it is not trading multiple first-round picks to move up for an unproven rookie. Friday was another good day for Drew Lock.

6. One curveball: The 49ers take Jones third overall. Atlanta should stay put and take Lance at No. 4. Cincinnati (No. 5) won’t take a quarterback but might be willing to trade with Carolina (No. 8) or the Broncos knowing it will still get a left tackle: Rashawn Slater or Penei Sewell.

7. Forecasting the top eight picks: Jaguars (Lawrence), Jets (Wilson), 49ers (Lance), Falcons (Fields), Bengals (Slater), Dolphins (Chase), Lions (Waddle) and Panthers (Sewell). The Broncos would hear from many teams interested in Jones, tight end Kyle Pitts or receiver DeVonta Smith. Paton could slide down a few spots, pick up an extra second- or third-round pick for Night Two and still get his pick of cornerbacks or linebackers.

8. Trade partners for the Broncos: Philadelphia at No. 12 (Pitts/ Smith), Minnesota at No. 14 (if Sewell falls and the Broncos aren’t interested) and New England at No. 15 (Jones). By moving down, Paton could take Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and address right tackle and cornerback/safety/edge rusher with his two second-round picks.

9. Paton has done noble work this month in adding cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller and re-signing defensive end Shelby Harris and safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. But he knows Fuller, Jackson, cornerback Bryce Callahan and outside linebacker Von Miller are playing this year on expiring contracts. The Broncos’ goal should be twopronged — find a first-round player who can start right away and then add players who can contribute this year and start in ’22.

10. Top-10 movement has started earlier than usual. In 2016, the Rams moved up to No. 1 on April 14, and the Eagles moved up to No. 2 six days later.