Niners Want First-Round Pick for Jimmy Garoppolo

If you want a shot at landing Jimmy Garoppolo, you'd better come armed with a first-round pick. At least, that seems to be the scuttlebutt these days.

Both NFL Network’s Mike Giardi and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer have reported the San Francisco 49ers are indeed seeking a first-rounder in exchange for their starting quarterback -- who led them to the Super Bowl just two short years ago. While the New England Patriots have been linked to Jimmy G, they aren't willing to meet the Niners' current asking price, Giardi wrote.

Garoppolo, when healthy, has proven to be among the elite NFL QBs. And if not elite, at least close to it. Last season, however, was not a season for Garoppolo to make such a case. He struggled with an ankle injury and missed time as the Niners couldn't even make it back to the playoffs.

"The 49ers’ asking price doesn’t seem to be too offline compared to the other quarterbacks who were traded earlier this offseason," wrote Conor Roche of Boston.com. "It took the Rams two future first-round picks, a third-round pick, and Jared Goff in order to get Matthew Stafford from the Lions in a trade. The Colts traded a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional second-round pick for Carson Wentz, who is considered to have one of the worst contracts in the league."

Still, as of today, it doesn't seem many teams are willing to pay that high of a price. But hey, the draft is a few weeks away. Maybe someone desperate will change their minds and deliver what the Niners are seeking. That seems to be their hope, anyway.