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According to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Jaguars appear to have gone downhill against cornerback CJ Henderson and look like they could trade the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft before the start of the season. While the 49ers seemed happier with their defensive backfield than many outside evaluators anticipated this offseason, Henderson might be a name intriguing enough to get them to pull the trigger on a big move.
Assuming Jacksonville makes Henderson available, the trading market should be quite active for the 22-year-old. Henderson started the Jaguars’ first eight games of the 2020 season before undergoing end-of-season shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Prior to his injury, he recorded 36 tackles, six assists and one interception.
While far from exceptional as a rookie, Henderson was a competent starter without much backing on a dreadful Jaguars defense.
Henderson once looked like one of the favorites to be drafted by the 49ers with the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, the Jaguars picked the Florida cornerback four picks before the first one. selection of the Niners (which they ultimately used to trade and select Javon Kinlaw).
Since he was off the board before the 49ers were on the clock, it’s hard to know what their internal ratings were on him. However, if it were seen as a viable target by the front office, it could surely present an interesting opportunity to acquire a young premium talent.
The 49ers haven’t made a significant addition to the cornerback position over the past two offseason despite significant external questions about their depth there. Instead, they relied on the continued development of players already in their organization and bet on better health.
While Jason Verrett became a legitimate number one corner kicker in 2020, San Francisco still had to deal with a plethora of injuries that led to extremely inconsistent play in their high school. Still, after losing Ahkello Witherspoon and Richard Sherman in free agency, third-round pick Ambry Thomas remains the only notable acquisition around the corner.
After trading two future first-round picks and a future third-round pick to advance in this year’s draft, the 49ers are already strapped for draft capital, which could make a deal difficult. However, with limited cap flexibility and no clear prospect of selection in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2022 or 2023, the 49ers might be willing to risk even more of their future chips for an immediate upgrade, like Henderson.
Any winning team would have Henderson under the team’s control on a three-year contract worth just over $ 7.4 million followed by a team option for another year, great value. for a starting caliber wedge. However, if the 49ers believe Henderson has the potential to be an impact player, that contract would be a paltry sum to play for an above-average defensive back.
The Jaguars would lose over $ 4.5 million in cap space by trading Henderson, but Jacksonville has enough room to make that amount surmountable if they hope to take a step.
Ultimately, it will depend on how much pay former 49ers general manager (and current Jaguars general manager) Trent Baalke and Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer need to part ways with the first-round pick of 2020. San Francisco won’t be able to match any offer, including a first pick, but they have an intermediate round selection (2-5) in all of their future drafts, including two third round picks in 2023.
Could a third round pick in 2022 and a second round pick in 2023 be enough? Would you be willing to sacrifice that much draft capital to acquire a young player like Henderson? Let us know in the comments!
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