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In the immediate aftermath of the New York Giants trade of Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns there was at least one claim that the Giants had a better offer than what they got from Cleveland. GM Dave Gettleman admitted that he had “numerous conversation” with San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch, but that “frankly we couldn’t come to an agreement, so that died on the vine.”
Friday, Lynch gave a glimpse as to why.
John Lynch on @KNBR regarding Odell Beckham Jr.: "I think, ironically, the fact that we had the No. 2 pick made it more difficult because they wanted that badly. They wanted two No. 1s. And we weren't willing to part with that. It was too valuable of a pick."
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 29, 2019
In the end, I think the "Bosa or Beckham" take was pretty spot on ... https://t.co/Fd1nBASX6g
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 29, 2019
The 49ers did not have another first-round pick. So, to satisfy the “two first-round picks” litmus test Gettleman said he was applying, they would have had to offer a player who had been a first-round pick, such as defensive end DeForest Buckner, and a 2020 first-round pick. With immediate needs to fill, even that might not have been enough for the Giants.
The Giants took the 17th and 95th picks from Cleveland, as well as safety Jabrill Peppers, a third-year player who was a 2017 first-round pick.