The San Francisco 49ers traded back in the second round to pick DE Cornellius “Tank” Carradine out of Florida State University in the NFL Draft. Something that someone with amazing clairvoyance predicted just this morning.
Carradine will convert to 3-4 OLB in the 49ers system and will be used like former first-round pick Aldon Smith was used his rookie year, as a pass rush specialist in the 49ers sub-packages. The 49ers clearly thought they needed more pass rush and depth behind Smith and Ahmad Brooks.
The 49ers traded back in the second round to get the Titans’ original second-round pick (40th overall), a seventh (216 overall) this year and a 2014 third-round pick to give the 49ers a total of 10 picks next year (not including compensatory picks). The Niners have three third-round picks in 2014 and are expected to pick up a fourth third-rounder with a compensatory pick from Dashon Goldson leaving via free agency.
Carradine was believed to be a top-15 pick in the beginning of the year, but a torn ACL dropped his stock to the second round. If he can recover from his injury then he brings size, speed and motor to an already tenacious defense that will have to get after QBs like Russell Wilson, Sam Bradford and Carson Palmer in arguably the best division in the NFL.
San Francisco has looked to upgrade their depth on defense in the first two rounds after drafting Eric Reid in the first round.
San Francisco still owns their original second-round pick (61st overall) and a third round pick (93rd overall), unless they decide to trade it like they have been inclined to do in previous years.
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