“This is a kind of a huge draft in their franchise right now, they’ve got to take advantage of it,” Mike Mayock’s voice crackled through the radio during his April 15 interview with Rich Eisen, his tone as steady as a veteran quarterback reading a blitz. The San Francisco 49ers, armed with 11 draft picks, stand at a crossroads familiar to any NFL dynasty: risk it all on raw talent or play it safe with proven grit?

Kyle Shanahan, the maestro behind the 49ers’ offensive fireworks, faces a decision that could define his legacy—or unravel it faster than a poorly timed flea-flicker. Imagine the 1981 draft, where Bill Walsh gambled on Joe Montana in the third round. Today’s stakes? Higher. The 49ers’ war room buzzes with tension sharper than a freshly mowed Candlestick Park sideline. Will they chase the shimmering potential of a wounded star or lock down a Swiss Army knife defender built for the long haul?

The buzz? Michigan’s Will Johnson, a 6’2” defensive back with nine career picks and a highlight reel smoother than a Jerry Rice slant route. But the answer, according to Mayock, is clear. Ditch injury-prone Michigan cornerback Will Johnson for Texas’ Jahdae Barron. “I like Jahdae Barron at that point to San Francisco,” Mayock stated, citing Johnson’s skipped 40-yard dash and lingering toe/shoulder issues. “I think Barron, with the versatility of playing outside or nickel and being a little cleaner, he’s run his 40. He’s done all the things that Will Johnson hasn’t.”

Johnson, a playmaker with nine career picks, missed 10 games over three seasons. A red flag bigger than the Hollywood sign. Meanwhile, Barron, the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner, boasts a 4.39-second 40-time, 11 pass breakups, and five interceptions last season. His versatility? Think Deion Sanders meets Troy Polamalu—he lined up at the corner, slot, safety, and even blitzed from the box.

Barron’s smoother than a Willie Mays catch. For a 49ers secondary that tallied one interception in its final nine games, his ball-hawking skills are a lifeline. Johnson’s tape? Elite. But his body’s durability? As reliable as a ’78 Ford Pinto. Meanwhile, rumors swirled this week that Kyle Shanahan isn’t just eyeing picks.

Kyle Shanahan’s trade-up temptation: Boom or bust?

Shanahan’s eyeing moves. ESPN’s Field Yates reported the 49ers called teams in the top six, itching to leapfrog rivals. Picture them trading up for Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (dubbed the next LaDainian Tomlinson) or Missouri OT Armand Membou to anchor their aging line. With 11 picks, including four in the Top 100, Shanahan has ammo. But here’s the thing.

The 49ers aren’t one player away. Their defense shed veterans like autumn leaves, and the O-line’s roster holes outnumber the potholes on a Michigan highway. Besides, you don’t trade the farm for a tractor when your whole barn’s on fire. Yet, if Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter slip past the Giants at No. 3, Shanahan might pounce. It’s a high-stakes poker move—one that could backfire faster than a Hail Mary into triple coverage.

Kyle Shanahan’s legacy hangs in the balance. Draft Barron and he secures a Day 1 starter with Pro Bowl upside. Trade up, and he risks tomorrow’s depth for today’s spotlight. As author Hunter S. Thompson once wrote, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” But in the NFL, the ride ends abruptly if you miss your stop.

So, 49ers faithful: Do you trust Shanahan to outsmart the draft’s chaos—or will this be another Trey Lance-sized gamble? The clock starts April 24.