The 49ers made an interesting move recently, acquiring kicker Zane Gonzalez from the Carolina Panthers…

The trade was in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick swap. This move is a smart one for the 49ers, as they now have insurance if their current kicker, Robbie Gould, does not re-sign.

Gonzalez is coming off a strong season, making an impressive 91% of his field goals. While his career percentage of 80.5% is not outstanding, it is still in the top 40 over the same time period. Gonzalez's inconsistency year to year has been a concern, but he is still a young and improving kicker.

The acquisition of Gonzalez gives the 49ers options for the future. If Gould does not re-sign with the team, they now have a reliable kicker to step in and take his place. If they do decide to move on from Gould, the team has a solid kicker who can take over the starting position.

Furthermore, by acquiring Gonzalez, the 49ers have avoided the need to enter the 2023 draft hungry for a kicker. While they still could select a kicker to intensify competition, they will not have to use a high draft pick to do so. This move also gives the team flexibility in their draft strategy, as they will not have to use an early pick on a kicker.

It is important to note that the conditional seventh-round pick swap is a low-risk move for the 49ers. If Gonzalez does not perform well, the team will not lose much in the way of draft capital. However, if he does perform well, the team will have found a reliable kicker at a low cost.

Overall, the 49ers' acquisition of Zane Gonzalez is a smart move for the team. It gives them options at the kicker position and avoids the need to use high draft picks on a kicker. If Gonzalez can continue to improve and perform well, he could become a key player for the 49ers in the future.