SANTA CLARA
The Broncos drafted a quarterback in the first round. The Jets took one in the second. The 49ers? They waited until the end of the sixth round to select Louisiana’s Jeff Driskel.
Those moves strongly suggest the 49ers’ liveliest offseason story – when will they trade Colin Kaepernick? – is all but over.
For the last two months, the Broncos were the likeliest trade partner. But they not only selected Memphis’ Paxton Lynch in the first round Thursday, they traded ahead five slots to get him. Denver general manager John Elway told reporters the move eliminated the possibility of acquiring Kaepernick, which Elway later acknowledged nearly happened.