With The First Pick
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How does the 49ers’ trade for Dee Ford impact the top of the 1st round?

By Bryan Perez

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 11: Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs begins to rush the passer during the second half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 11: Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs begins to rush the passer during the second half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The 49ers trade for Dee Ford could have a ripple effect on the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

The San Francisco 49ers traded a 2020 second-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for star edge rusher Dee Ford on Tuesday in a deal that could have a significant impact on the second overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

The 49ers have long been pegged the likely candidate to select Ohio State pass-rusher Nick Bosa with their first-round selection (assuming Kyler Murray goest first) because of the club’s desperate need for heat on the edge, but the unexpected addition of Ford suddenly changes things. The need just isn’t that great anymore.

That said, Bosa is one of the premier players in the class and has the kind of blue-chip talent that trumps need. Even if San Francisco had two established starters on the outside, Bosa would still be in play, so the addition of Ford by himself shouldn’t steer the 49ers off their plan, assuming they keep the pick.

And that’s where the curveball might arise.

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The ability for another team to pry the pick out of San Francisco’s grasp would have been a lot more challenging prior to Ford’s arrival. Now, with a double-digit sack guy already in house, the 49ers could look to slide down in the first round in an effort to add more picks and more talent to a young, up-and-coming roster.

And that’s exactly how free agency should be used, too. Filling roster needs with established veterans — like Ford — allows teams like the 49ers to enter draft weekend with value trumping all else. Is there a player on the board when they pick that’s the best move for the franchise? Or are they be better off sliding back a few spots in a draft that’s overflowing with edge rushers?

We’ll soon find out.

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