Trades, three selections highlight the final day of draft
Trading for left tackle Trent Williams on Saturday signified a monumental move in 49ers history.
Specifically, Joe Staley retired, after 13 seasons as not only their left tackle but often the franchise’s frontman during escapes from the NFL pits to twice reach the Super Bowl.
“Skill set-wise, Trent is similar to Joe,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who was Washington’s offensive coordinator when Williams arrived as the 2010 draft’s No. 4 pick. “They’re two of most athletic guys I’ve been around at that position. They can run. Also, he’s a great dude, too. I mean I love the guy.”
Staley’s exit and Williams’ arrival loomed largest among the 49ers’ flurry of roster moves on the final day of the draft.
Besides the Staley/williams news, three offensive players were selected to cap a five-man draft class, the
49ers’ smallest since 1997 and two veteran starters got traded away for draft picks: running back Matt Breida (Miami Dolphins) and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (Philadelphia Eagles).
The 49ers acquired Williams for a fifth-round selection (No. 156 overall) and a 2021 third-round pick, so long as he passes a physical.
Williams did not play last season, disgruntled over Washington’s medical staff and its treatment for a cancerous growth on his scalp. Williams’ familiarity with Shanahan’s scheme could especially ease a transition that won’t offer the usual offseason program, due to the coronavirus pandemic’s lockdown.
“I’m thankful this is over,” Williams told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “Thanks to (Washington owner) Dan (Snyder) and the organization for all they’ve done for me. Still a lot of love for the fans and that locker room. Now I’m focusing on being the best player I can possibly be for the 49ers.”
A decade ago, Williams arrived as Washington’s first-round draft pick in 2010. Mike Shanahan was starting his first year there as coach, while his son, Kyle, arrived as offensive coordinator.
Williams will slide into a 49ers offense that has established itself as a run-oriented force, though the passing attack has added promise with Thursday’s first-round selection of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to complement Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite targets George Kittle and Deebo Samuel.
Williams, who turns 32 on July 19, earned annual Pro Bowl honors from 2012 to 2018 before sitting out last season. Williams has only one season remaining on his contract, at a $12.5 million salary. Although it was speculated he wants a contract extension — and why a deal with the Minnesota Vikings fell through — Shanahan indicated they’ll let the coming season unfold first.
“Trent made it clear to everyone he wanted to come back and didn’t want to do a deal right away, really wanted to play, get back into it and see where he was at with the rest of the league,” Shanahan said. “I think he can pick up where he left off.”
His arrival means the 49ers need not shift 2018 first-round pick Mike Mcglinchey out of right tackle. While Staley missed nine games last season, the 49ers opted not to move Mcglinchey and instead auditioned first-year tackles in Justin Skule and Daniel Brunskill. Shon Coleman re-signed last month to again vie for a backup role.
Another option is fifthround draft pick Colton Mckivitz, who Shanahan said was a candidate for their fourth-round pick before they traded it Thursday to move up and draft Aiyuk.
• Breida, the 49ers’ leading rusher in 2017 and ’18, became the odd-man out in their crowded backfield and got dealt for the Miami Dolphins’ fifth-round pick.
Goodwin got dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles as they swapped sixth-round picks with the 49ers, who moved up 20 spots to No. 190 overall.
“Both those guys been with us from the start,” general manager John Lynch said. “Breida, a (2017) undrafted free agent, has given to this organization in unbelievable fashion and been really good for us with his play and his makeup.”
Breida recently signed his one-year, $3.3 million tender as a restricted free agent. With the fifth-round pick they got for him, the 49ers selected West Virginia’s Mckivitiz.
Despite leading the 49ers in rushing his first two seasons, Breida fell down the depth chart as the 49ers made their playoff push last season and instead relied on Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman.
Mostert, Coleman, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jerick Mckinnon are all backfield options for the coming season. Mostert is the frontrunner to handle most carries after rushing for a franchise-record 220 yards in the NFC Championship Game.
Goodwin, who was due nearly $4 million this season, racked up 962 yards in 2017, his first season with the 49ers. Injuries and personal tragedies hindered his availability the past two seasons as he combined for 581 yards and five touchdowns.
• Mckivitz, tight end Charlie Woerner and wide receiver Jauan Jennings make up the 49ers’ five-man class along with Thursday’s first-round picks of defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (No. 14 overall) and Aiyuk (No. 25).
The 49ers haven’t drafted so few players since 1997, when they infamously took quarterback Jim Druckenmiller in the first round and then only fullback Marc Edwards and tight end Greg Clark.
Although Mckivitz played right tackle at West Virginia, the played one game at guard and again was moved there for the Senior Bowl, so perhaps he competes for a backup role across the 49ers’ line.
Woerner excelled more as a blocker than a receiver at Georgia, where he had just one touchdown among 34 career receptions in four years. That doesn’t mean he won’t contribute as a 49ers receiver or multi-position threat. After all, Kittle had only 48 receptions in his Iowa career before the 49ers drafted him in the fifth round in 2017.
“I see myself as a do-it all guy and do what my team asks me to do,” said Woerner, who filled in some at fullback at Georgia. “I’m excited to go to the 49ers and win some ballgames.”
Woerner will compete with Ross Dwelley and Daniel Helm in the tight end group.
Jennings (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) finished an upand-down Tennessee career by leading the team with 59 receptions for 969 yards and eight touchdown catches, plus a touchdown run. He was dismissed from the program after being critical of coaches in 2017 but reinstated the next year.