The 49ers are heading toward the NFL trade deadline as buyers, and the board of possible fits is starting to take shape with about a week left.
On the edge, Khalil Mack stands out as the most obvious name. The Chargers are 0-7, and Mack is in the final year of his deal, which makes him a classic rental for a team chasing a ring.
Josh Sweat is a tougher pull because he plays in the division, but he would still make a lot of sense for San Francisco. The Cardinals coaching staff inherited him, and the possibility of making him available is there.
There are also some bigger-name offensive options that could come into play if the price is right. Trevor Penning is not a fit for Liam Coen, but he did excel when Mac Jones was his quarterback, and the real issue is what it would cost to land him.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is not on this list; instead, Jerry Jeudy is the receiver name to watch, even if he is currently behind the two rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, along with tight end Harold Fanin. A contender needing help could be the kind of landing spot that gets Jeudy going again.
The slot market offers another intriguing possibility in Josh Downs. He requested a trade and would fit nicely with the 49ers inside, though the Colts’ asking price is still too high for now. That could shift as the deadline gets closer.
San Francisco could also look to the trenches. Peter Skoronski is a former first-round pick who could be pried away from the Titans, and Kingsley Suamataia is another name worth monitoring after being benched by the Chiefs despite having plenty of starting experience. If the Eagles are open to moving on from Landon Dickerson, he would be a strong fit as well, though injuries are the obvious concern.
At cornerback, the 49ers have a few different paths. Asante Samuel Jr. could work in dime packages in San Francisco since he is currently a third cornerback in the Chargers defense.
Jaylon Jones is another option because he fills the role San Francisco asked Jack Jones to play. And for a player with both slot and outside flexibility, Roger McCreary checks the exact box the 49ers need.
Then there is the possibility of a former first-round pick on the move from Tennessee. Robert Saleh could bring the 49ers one, with the Titans sitting at 1-6 and the player in the last year of his rookie contract. That makes him a likely free-agent departure, which could push Tennessee to get something back now.
One more name to keep in mind is Rashid Bateman. He will be a free agent after the season, and with the Ravens just losing Lamar Jackson for the year, the chances of a trade have gone up.
In Other News...
49ers May Be Leaving Brock Purdy Too Much To Overcome
Brock Purdys season had put him in the thick of the MVP conversation for a reason. He had been playing at a high level for San Francisco, and even after the 49ers traded for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the focus around the roster has stayed on whether the team has done enough to keep its quarterback in position to sustain that kind of production.
A rough outing against the Falcons only sharpened that question, because the 49ers have not made additional major moves to upgrade the receiving group around him. The concern now is less about whether Purdy can bounce back and more about whether San Francisco has given him enough help to keep matching the standard he set earlier in the season. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Cash In As Mac Jones Draws Contender Interest
Mac Jones has suddenly become a name to watch on the quarterback market, and the ripple effect could matter in San Francisco. With several contenders dealing with uncertainty under center, the 49ers could find themselves in a position to benefit if interest in Jones turns into real trade calls, especially from teams looking for a stabilizing option rather than a long-term fix.
The Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles are all being mentioned as clubs that could explore quarterback help, each for different reasons tied to their current roster situations and injuries. Minnesota has leaned on a strong defense while its offense has sputtered, Baltimore has had to navigate injuries at quarterback, and Philadelphias depth chart has been shaken enough to make the position a priority again. If that market develops further, Jones could become one of the more intriguing names to monitor, and the 49ers would be watching closely to see how far the bidding goes. [Read more 🡒]
Fred Warner Is Giving The 49ers A New Defensive Identity
Through seven weeks, Fred Warner has been the steady center of a 49ers defense that has had to keep adjusting around injuries and roster turnover. Even with the changes, San Francisco has stayed among the leagues better units, sitting seventh in points allowed and fourth in yards allowed, and Warners all-around impact has been a big reason why the group has held its edge.
He has been the teams tackling leader and has also created takeaways at a pace that gives the defense a different kind of bite. The numbers only tell part of it, though, because Warners presence has helped shape how the 49ers are playing on that side of the ball now, and the bigger question is how far this version of the defense can carry them as the season moves deeper into the stretch. [Read more 🡒]