[Goose]

The only reason I can think is that another team was negotiating with the 49ers to trade up to #2 for Mitch, so if they had not given some value, they would have lost Mitch.

Or perhaps a very well planned Maskirovka operation by the 49ers convinced them that was true  ;D. Or perhaps the 49ers said THEY would take Mitch if the Bears didn't go along. Sitll, it is hard to imagine why getting Mitch was such a big deal for them. Nobody can seriously expect he will start right away in the NFL (can they?). He is a project now even if he is great later.

[Goose]

The only reason I can think is that another team was negotiating with the 49ers to trade up to #2 for Mitch, so if they had not given some value, they would have lost Mitch.

Or perhaps a very well planned Maskirovka operation by the 49ers convinced them that was true  ;D. Or perhaps the 49ers said THEY would take Mitch if the Bears didn't go along. Sitll, it is hard to imagine why getting Mitch was such a big deal for them. Nobody can seriously expect he will start right away in the NFL (can they?). He is a project now even if he is great later.