The 49ers are headed into the trade deadline with work already on the board and more business likely to come.
San Francisco has made one move so far, bringing defensive lineman DeForest Buckner back from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Buckner, of course, was originally drafted by the 49ers in 2016, and his return gives John Lynch and the front office a head start as the deadline approaches.
The clock is now set. The NFL trade deadline arrives at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and teams can strike a deal right up until that point.
That gives the 49ers a little time to keep shaping the roster, and there are clear places where help would make sense. The offense is still dealing with injuries, and wide receiver stands out as the biggest need. Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are both battling injuries, while Ricky Pearsall, De'Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson are all on injured reserve.
On the other side of the ball, San Francisco could use more help off the edge even with Nick Bosa expected back soon from injury. Secondary depth is also still a logical area to address.
A few names have surfaced as possible fits. Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was a Pro Bowler as a rookie after going in the first round in 2024, but his role has dipped sharply this season; he has nine catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in six games. Another receiver mentioned is Jauan Jennings, who left the 49ers for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason and has managed only four receptions for 43 yards in five games.
On the defensive line, Josh Sweat could be available after spending seven seasons with the Eagles before signing a four-year deal worth up to $76.4 million with the Arizona Cardinals last year. He posted a career-best 12 sacks then and has followed that with 16 tackles, four quarterback hits and two sacks in seven games this season.
Khalil Mack is another possible target. The 35-year-old, a nine-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro and one-time Defensive Player of the Year, has played for the Los Angeles Chargers since 2022. In six games this year, he has 19 tackles, six quarterback hits and three sacks, though the Chargers are still winless.
In Other News...
49ers Keep Seeing Former Players Come Back For One Telling Reason
The 49ers have developed a familiar pattern over the years: a player leaves in free agency or via trade, spends time elsewhere, then eventually finds his way back to San Francisco. Dre Greenlaw, Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne and DeForest Buckner are among the notable names in that group, a list that says as much about the organizations appeal as it does about the realities of roster building in the NFL.
Some of those exits were driven by contract questions or role concerns, and the return trips have only reinforced how strong the pull can be once a player has experienced life outside the building. For the 49ers, it is a reminder that relationships matter, that not every departure is permanent, and that the franchise still carries enough weight for former players to circle back when the opportunity comes. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Decision On De'Zhaun Stribling Could Reveal A Lot
The 49ers are weighing whether to add another wide receiver before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, and the answer could say plenty about how they view De'Zhaun Striblings place in the offense. The rookie has been working his way back from a Week 1 injury, leaving San Francisco with a decision point as it tries to sort out its depth and plan for the stretch run.
Stribling is expected to return in December, but he has yet to appear in a regular-season game, so the team still has limited evidence on how quickly he can handle a meaningful workload. If the 49ers make a move for a receiver, it would be a strong hint they are not counting on him to step into a major role immediately, which would make his eventual return even more interesting to watch. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Trade Deadline Focus May Be Changing In A Big Way
With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the 49ers appear to be shifting their attention away from the receiver market and toward the trenches. San Francisco has already stretched its mid-round draft inventory thin, which makes another swing for a pass-catcher a tougher sell, especially with help at wideout expected to be on the way as injuries heal.
The more realistic path now looks like adding support on defense off the edge or shoring up the offensive line if the right deal surfaces. For a team trying to balance immediate needs with draft-pick preservation, that kind of pivot makes sense, even if it means the loudest deadline buzz around another receiver may never get much traction. [Read more 🡒]