The NFL offseason is already heating up, and if early buzz is any indication, we could be in for a flurry of trades. According to reports, teams around the league are underwhelmed by both the upcoming free-agent class and the 2026 draft pool-especially when it comes to top-tier talent.
That’s opening the door for more aggressive trade scenarios, and one team that could be right in the thick of it? The San Francisco 49ers.
Let’s start with the market. The free-agent landscape is dotted with aging stars-Trey Hendrickson (32), Mike Evans (33), and Kevin Byard (33)-players who’ve had standout careers but are entering the twilight of their primes.
Then there’s a group of younger names who might command more than they’re worth: Tyler Linderbaum, Alec Pierce, Jaelan Phillips, Kyle Pitts, Odafe Oweh, and Kenneth Walker. None of these names scream “franchise-changer” at this stage, and that’s part of the issue.
As for the draft, it’s deep, but not necessarily top-heavy. You can find solid contributors in the third round, sure, but if you’re looking for a true difference-maker-a Pro Bowl-caliber player-you’re probably going to have to trade for one. The same goes for quarterbacks, which could play right into the hands of the 49ers.
Mac Jones: A Trade Chip with Value
San Francisco has an intriguing asset in Mac Jones. He’s inexpensive, he’s experienced, and for a QB-needy team, he might be worth a second- or third-round pick. If the Niners can flip Jones for a Day 2 selection, that pick could become a key piece in a bigger swing for a star player.
The Brandon Aiyuk Dilemma
On the flip side, the 49ers may have misplayed their hand with Brandon Aiyuk. Publicly expressing regret over his contract situation didn’t help his trade value.
What might’ve once been a second-round return could now be a conditional pick-if a team bites at all. Realistically, Aiyuk could be a cap casualty, not a trade asset.
Swinging Big: Maxx Crosby or A.J. Brown?
If the 49ers are going to make a splash, there are a couple of names that fit the bill. Maxx Crosby is one.
Adding him would be a home-run move-an elite edge rusher who could elevate an already dangerous defense. Then there’s A.J.
Brown, who has reportedly shown signs of wanting a change of scenery. The Eagles would face a massive $43 million dead cap hit if they moved him before June 1, so any deal would have to be carefully structured.
But if the Niners could pull it off, Brown would instantly become their No. 1 target in the passing game.
A Buy-Low Option: Brian Thomas Jr.
If the Niners want to get younger and more cost-effective at wide receiver, Brian Thomas Jr. might be the move. The former first-round pick out of Jacksonville saw his role shrink under a new coaching staff-his target share dropped nearly six percent, landing him fourth on the team in that category. The new regime doesn’t appear committed to him, and that opens a window for San Francisco.
Thomas Jr. came into the league with questions about his route-running polish, but he answered them in a big way as a rookie: 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. While his second-year numbers dipped (707 yards), the talent is still there.
He’s 6’3”, fast, under team control for multiple seasons, and fits the mold of what Kyle Shanahan loves in a wideout. ESPN’s advanced metrics might not love him-he ranked 160th out of 160 in their WR metric-but the film tells a different story.
How the 49ers Could Reshape Their WR Room
Let’s say San Francisco wants to go big. One bold scenario could involve packaging Ricky Pearsall-a recent first-round pick-in a deal for A.J.
Brown. That sweetens the pot for Philadelphia and might allow the 49ers to keep the draft capital cost down, potentially moving only a third-rounder in the deal.
With Brown’s contract just kicking in, the Eagles would be off the hook for future guarantees after 2026, making it a bit more palatable on their end.
Assuming Aiyuk is released, Brown would immediately slot in as the team’s top receiver. Then, using the pick acquired from a potential Mac Jones trade, the 49ers could go after Brian Thomas Jr. Two big-bodied, explosive receivers on rookie deals (or manageable contracts) would give Shanahan a dynamic duo to build around.
The Draft Pick Math
To make the Thomas Jr. deal work, San Francisco could send its late first-rounder to Jacksonville-who, importantly, doesn’t currently hold a first-round pick-and get a pick back in return. That would help the Niners recoup some of the capital they gave up for Brown, while still walking away with two high-upside receivers who bring size, speed, and versatility to the offense.
The Big Picture
If the 49ers go this route, they’d be out a first-round pick in 2026, but they’d still hold multiple Day 2 selections-plenty of ammo to address depth needs across the roster. More importantly, they’d have dramatically upgraded their wide receiver room, giving Brock Purdy (or whoever’s under center) a pair of legitimate weapons to stretch the field and challenge defenses at every level.
It’s a bold plan, no doubt. But if the free-agent and draft markets are as underwhelming as they appear, the teams that are willing to be aggressive in the trade market-teams like San Francisco-could come out ahead in a big way.