The 49ers are heading into the bye week with a fresh chance to reassess the trade market, and the picture at the deadline is pretty clear: San Francisco can chase help, but not every target makes sense at the same price.
At the top of the list is the possibility of a reunion with the star defensive tackle. That’s the kind of move that would grab attention fast, and the 49ers have reportedly been interested. If that big swing doesn’t happen, the Bucs’ free agent addition looks like the cleaner pivot.
There’s also a clean football fit with the Miami Dolphins defensive tackle, though San Francisco would need to absorb his salary. Young is in the mix too, and his career production makes him a sensible option if the price is right. The Eagles’ underrated defensive tackle is another name to watch, with the idea that he could break out away from Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter’s shine.
On the interior offensive line, left guard is beginning to look like a real roster hole for the 49ers. Nelson stands out as a strong option from the 2-5 Colts, while Dickerson would qualify as a young upgrade at the position even though he is working back from an injury.
The 49ers also need help against the run, which is why Bill Barnwell of ESPN linked them to Stewart. Payne fits the need beautifully, but he may cost more than San Francisco wants to spend. Vea would also be an excellent fit, and the 49ers may have had interest when he held out in training camp, though he just signed an extension.
At edge rusher, Mack will be near the top of plenty of teams’ boards, but the role and acquisition cost make that a tough fit for San Francisco. The Chargers’ young productive edge rusher probably comes with a massive asking price as well, and McDonald would overlap with the role Romello Height is starting to grow into.
The wide receiver options are more about context than pure need. Jeudy gets framed as the kind of Emmanuel Sanders-type addition who could benefit from a change of scenery. Jennings, meanwhile, does not have much of a role, but it is hard to imagine the 6-0 Vikings selling low on depth.
Not every name looks realistic. The Cardinals would have to be willing to move a star defender to a division rival, which makes that path difficult.
Diaby is also a long shot after his three-sack performance in the Bucs’ Week 7 win. Simmons just signed a massive extension, even if the Titans are rebuilding.
And at his age and cost, the juice might not be worth the squeeze.
James seems unlikely to be available at a price the 49ers want, which leaves San Francisco sorting through a mix of real possibilities, pricey fits and names that belong more in the fantasy category than the practical one.
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The 49ers have enough moving parts elsewhere without having to wonder about every field goal and extra point, and the possibility of a change is starting to feel more realistic by the week. If they do decide to move on, the free-agent market offers a few familiar names to monitor, with Graham Gano, Matt Prater and Riley Patterson among the kickers who could come into the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Halloween Party Turns Viral Scandal Into A Locker Room Debate
A recent Halloween gathering around the 49ers turned into more than a costume party when the teams festivities brushed up against one of the years stranger viral stories. Daejon Love, whose arrest and federal case made headlines after authorities said he ran fake investment schemes that targeted more than two dozen women, has become a familiar name far beyond the financial-crime beat, and the topic was apparently impossible to avoid once the 49ers started putting together their looks.
At least two San Francisco players leaned into the reference, with one showing up in a jersey and another in a jail outfit, turning a serious off-field case into the kind of locker-room debate that can follow a team long after the music stops. It was a reminder that viral stories have a way of bleeding into NFL culture quickly, especially when the subject already comes with enough controversy to make a Halloween costume feel like commentary. [Read more 🡒]