The 49ers have "high interest" in CB Darrelle Revis, according to CBS reporter Mike Freeman.
According to the report, the New York Jets are "strongly leaning" towards trading their four-time Pro Bowl cornerback. They are demanding first and second round picks for Revis, who has been on the All-Pro team three times and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.
Other teams mentioned in the report who are interested in Revis include the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. The two latter teams are unlikely to obtain him due to both teams being in the same division as the Jets.
For the 49ers, they have several extra draft picks they could use to obtain Revis. They currently have 11 picks in the 2013 NFL draft and three of them were picked up from last year's draft. Here is what they currently have:
- 1st round pick
- 2nd round pick
- 3rd round pick (From Carolina)
- 3rd round pick
- 4th round pick
- 5th round pick (From Indianapolis)
- 5th round pick
- 6th round pick (From Miami)
- 6th round pick
- 7th round pick (From Cincinnati, previously acquired through trading Taylor Mays)
- 7th round pick
If the 49ers wanted to trade for Darrelle Revis, they would have to part with the first two draft picks plus another player at minimum. They would also have to make room at CB for Revis with Carlos Rogers, Chris Culliver and Tarell Brown all under contract for next season. Adding Revis would create a logjam where someone among the trio would have to go. In terms of contracts, Rogers has the highest cap hit at $7.3 million and with the 49ers right up against the limit, it would be most logical to cut ties with him. With the 49ers in potential "cap hell" for 2013, this will be a sticky situation if they get Revis.
The main reason acquiring Revis is unlikely is because their draft picks will be too late in the draft. Depending on the outcome of the Super Bowl, the 49ers will have either the 31st or 32nd pick in the 2013 draft.
In terms of who to trade, it would be an intriguing possibility if the 49ers traded Alex Smith to the Jets since they're in need of a quarterback. Mark Sanchez struggled this season with a 66.9 quarterback rating and had a 13-18 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Backup QB Tim Tebow suffered a rib injury this year and was benched in favor of third string QB Greg McElroy. There is only one problem with this. Smith's cap hit will be $9.75 million in 2013 and the Jets are already over the cap limit which would create their own problem with contracts.
If the 49ers wanted to acquire Revis, they would need to trade future draft picks from the 2014 draft to go with what they have in 2013. The Jets are demanding picks and not players which will be the key factor. There is a small chance the 49ers will give in to a bidding war with other teams if it means paying a high price for Revis.
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