Saints, 49ers In Draft Day Trade Rumors, Jimmy Garoppolo Targeted

It’s all but certain there will be several trades in Thursday's first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers find themselves in the latest trade rumors on Draft Day, just hours before the first selection will be made.

New Orleans might be making the biggest effort to move up in the first round, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports, seeing what it would take to acquire a top-10 pick. San Francisco traded for the No. 3 overall pick weeks ago, opening the door for the 49ers to send Jimmy Garoppolo elsewhere.

San Francisco plans to take a quarterback with its first pick, likely Alabama's Mac Jones or North Dakota State's Trey Lance. NFL teams are expected to make offers for Garoppolo, who can be had at the right price, according to multiple reports.

The 49ers, however, haven’t had their price tag met just yet. It’s considered unlikely, though not impossible, that Garoppolo will be traded Thursday. NBC Sports' Peter King suggested earlier in the week that San Francisco might lower its asking price to a second-round pick for Garoppolo if a deal could be made.

Garoppolo has a no-trade clause, which could make moving him a little more difficult. Garappolo could veto any potential deal, although he might be willing to waive a possible trade depending on the team and opportunity.

While the 49ers moved up from No. 12 to No. 3, the Saints could be looking to make an even bigger jump. With the No. 28 overall pick, New Orleans is potentially eyeing a pick in the top half of the first round to take a cornerback.

The top cornerbacks could be off the board before the halfway mark of Day 1. Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the most popular pick in mock drafts for the Dallas Cowboys at No. 10 overall. South Carolina defensive back Jaycee Horn might not last past the Los Angeles Chargers' No. 13 overall selection.

The Detroit Lions have said they are open to trading the No. 7 overall pick. There’s been speculation that the Atlanta Falcons could part with the No. 4 overall selection in exchange for a haul of picks.