The string connecting the 49ers’ moves after the DeForest Buckner trade ended during the first night of the 2020 NFL draft. It looked like multiple trades down might wind up expanding the web from the Buckner swap for the No. 13 pick, but it wound up moving in a pretty linear direction.
We won’t get deep into the financial moves the trade allowed the 49ers to make. Instead, we’ll strictly stick to what players they acquired off that No. 13 pick.
No. 13 pick became pick Nos. 14 and 117.
No. 14 became South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
No. 117 was included in the deal that moved the 49ers up from No. 31 to No. 25 where they selected Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
And with that, the trade was complete.
Buckner was moved for Kinlaw and Aiyuk.
Again, that’s solely the draft compensation. The trade came with Buckner about to cash in on a big-time contract extension, so moving him also had some big-picture cap benefits for the 49ers that allowed them to retain players like defensive lineman Arik Armstead and free safety Jimmie Ward, and opened the door for a massive extension to tight end George Kittle.
We won’t be able to judge the trade for multiple years, but if Kinlaw and Aiyuk step in and contribute right away, it’s hard to believe the move won’t at least measure out as a wash.