Trading for a wide receiver has become a popular talking point around the San Francisco 49ers, but the list of realistic options is a lot shorter than the noise suggests.
The injuries at the position have sparked plenty of panic, yet the situation may not be as urgent as it looks. Most of the injured receivers are expected back within the next week or two, and there does not appear to be a true blockbuster available for San Francisco to chase. Garrett Wilson is the one name that fits that description, but the New York Jets are not moving him.
Even so, the 49ers have clearly shown interest in adding help. Their check-in with the Minnesota Vikings on Jauan Jennings says as much. If they are going to make a move at receiver, though, one target stands out above the rest: Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts.
Downs makes sense for a few reasons. He would give the 49ers the kind of vertical element they are missing, stretching the field and forcing defenses to account for him over the top. That would create more room underneath for everyone else.
And that is where the matchup problems start for opposing defenses. If they focus on Downs, they risk getting burned by Mike Evans on intermediate routes.
If they lean toward Evans, Downs can slip behind them downfield. Either way, it is a tough choice.
The 49ers would also be asking defenses to deal with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and Demarcus Robinson. Adding Downs to that mix would only make the offense harder to handle.
He is not a marquee name, but he has enough ability to matter in San Francisco. The Colts connection helps, too. The 49ers already worked with Indianapolis last week when they reunited with DeForest Buckner, so reaching out again would not be a stretch.
And the timing lines up. Indianapolis is in sell mode ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, having already moved All-Pro offensive lineman Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks. Even Jonathan Taylor could be available.
A fifth-round pick should be enough to get Downs, and that is about as far as the 49ers should be willing to go. He is in the final year of his rookie contract, so paying more would be a mistake.
Downs checks the boxes the 49ers want: he fits, he plays for a team that is unloading pieces, and his price should be manageable. The complication is that other teams need receivers, too, and that kind of demand can push the cost up quickly.
If San Francisco is going to overpay for anything, the argument here is that it should be an edge rusher, not a wideout. Receiver is a problem that can be covered up, especially if the 49ers can add more pass-rush help.
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