Coach Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers aren’t kidding. They’re still fans of quarterback Alex Smith.
And they should also be pulling for the Kansas City Chiefs. As part of the deal to acquire Smith, the Chiefs still owe San Francisco a draft choice in 2014.
If Kansas City is 8-8 or better in 2013, that pick becomes a second-rounder. If they win seven or fewer games, the Chiefs are on the hook for only a third-round pick.
The Chiefs traded their 2013 second-round pick, No. 34 overall, to the 49ers in March. Defensive end Tank Carradine was drafted with that selection.
With a third-round pick coming from Tennessee by virtue of a draft-day deal, the 49ers could have at least three third-rounders and possibly a fourth as compensation for losing free safety Dashon Goldson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.