Three positions the 49ers should target ahead of the NFL trade deadline

Nov 1, 2024, 6:00 AM | Updated: 9:14 pm

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Calais Campbell #93 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates while watching the game winning field goal during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers enter its’ 2024 Bye Week in a peculiar position. Are they sellers or buyers at the trade deadline?

Recent history would say the latter for the perennial playoff contender, especially after coming up just short of the Lombardi Trophy last February. But at 4-4, the vibes around the Red & Gold seem a bit off at the halfway point of 2024 regular season.

Yet, it would behoove the 49ers to make a trade or two if they want to salvage its’ season.

General manager John Lynch and the front office have been active in years past. Last season the 49ers traded for defensive end Chase Young. The year before that: All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

Safe to say the 49ers likely won’t be making a major swing like they did in 2022. However, Lynch & Co. have shown a willingness to deal for the right price.

“It’s just gotta be a fit. You’re always calling and receiving calls,” the GM said on KNBR this week. “This list is a little different, we’re not where we want to be we’re 4-4 but we’ve got a lot in front of us. One thing this team has shown the ability to do under [49ers coach Kyle Shanahan] is get better throughout the season and play our best ball when it matters most.”

The 49ers best may be yet to come, especially if McCaffrey does return to the lineup after the bye.

But SF’s problems stem further than just getting guys healthy. Several units are depleted, due to injury or other factors. And with the most cap space in the NFL ($54 million), the 49ers can afford to spend a draft pick or two at the trade deadline.

So without waste anymore of the word count, here are a few positions SF should target before the Nov. 5th deadline.

Defensive Line

The 49ers’ thinnest position is in the defensive trenches. Even without the indefinite absences of Javon Hargrave, Drake Jackson and Yetur Gross-Matos, the Red & Gold were light at the defensive line of scrimmage in 2024. Its’ sack percentage is just above average, while 1.3 rushing scores allowed per game is 23rd overall.

Getting home with the pass rush makes the 49ers’ defense elite; Here are a few options to help them do that.

Calais Campbell

Team: Miami Dolphins

Stats: 7 games played, 22 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 86.4 Pro Football Focus grade

Contract: 1-year, $2 million

Likely Cost: Conditional 5th-Round Pick

Jadeveon Clowney

Team: Carolina Panthers

Stats: 6 games played, 19 combined tackles, 1 sack, 60.6 PFF grade (71.9 against the run)

Contract: 2-years, $20 million

Likely Cost: 5th or 6th-Round Pick

Azeez Ojulari

Team: New York Giants

Stats: 8 games played, 24 combined tackles, 6 sacks, 59.8 PFF grade

Contract: 4-years, $6.774 million (rookie contract)

Likely Cost: 3rd-Round Pick

Za’Darius Smith

Team: Cleveland Browns

Stats: 8 games played, 22 combined tackles, 5 sacks, 71.4 PFF grade

Contract: 2-years, $23 million

Likely Cost: 3rd or 4th-Round Pick

Best Fit: Calais Campbell

Pipe Dream: Maxx Crosby (joking)

The 49ers exiting the trade deadline without another DL would be surprising. After swinging for a blue-chip prospect in Young last season, 2024 should see a move veteran approach.

Players like Campbell and Clowney at a cut-rate price screams Lynch & Co. But, another big swing is a possibility. Smith was a Pro Bowler in 2022, while Ojulari is just entering his prime. And the latter plays like a bat out of hell off the edge.

PS: The Raiders aren’t trading Maxx Crosby in-season, even if a rebuild is imminent.

Kevin Patra of https://t.co/8oImR0oPkQ lists Giants EDGE Azeez Ojulari as a great fit for the 49ers:

“Kyle Shanahan’s club has depth questions behind Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd. Bosa, leads the team with 44 QB pressures and 4.5 sacks. Floyd has shown he has some juice, putting… pic.twitter.com/F67HrPUOxu

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) October 31, 2024

Wide Receiver

A normally deep position for the 49ers, now riddled by injuries in 2024. The loss of Brandon Aiyuk for the season is the most damning, leaving SF without a de-facto star route runner. Obviously, it’s hard to replace that in-season. But the Red & Gold could take a stab at it if the promising rookies, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, aren’t ready.

Here are few pass-catchers to watch for at the trade deadline.

Tyler Boyd

Team: Tennessee Titans

Stats: 7 games played, 21 catches, 184 receiving yards, 58.0 PFF grade

Contract: 1-year, $2.40 million

Likely Cost: 5th or 6th-Round Pick

Darius Slayton

Team: New York Giants

Stats: 8 games played, 29 catches, 420 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 66.0 PFF grade

Contract: 2-years, $12 million (final year)

Likely Cost: Conditional 4th-Round Pick

Mike Williams

Team: New York Jets

Stats: 8 games played, 11 catches, 160 receiving yards

Contract: 1-year, $10 million

Likely Cost: 6th-Round Pick

Best Fit: Darius Slayton

Pipe Dream: Courtland Sutton

If not for Chris Conley’s recent hamstring issue, this wouldn’t be a hefty need for SF. Throw in Jauan Jennings’ status and it’s something to search the market for.

This depends on what Shanahan needs for his offense.

Does he want a reliable route-runner in Slayton or Boyd, or a tall, physical deep threat like Sutton or Williams? Or maybe both?

It’ll likely be one or the other if they decide to make a move at wideout.

𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The 2-6 #Giants could look to trade WR Darius Slayton at the deadline, per @TonyPauline

“The Giants will be looking to build for the future, and Slayton was never able to build upon his outstanding initial two seasons with the club after producing immediately as a… pic.twitter.com/QYb1UOviX9

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 29, 2024

Safety/Defensive Back

The 49ers’ secondary has actually performed admirably well this season, 15th in passing yards allowed per game. But, SF could always use more help on the backend, especially at safety.

The 49ers are rolling out young guns in Ji’Ayir Brown and fourth-round rookie Malik Mustapha. That’s partially due to Talanoa Hufanga being on injured reserve. The latter has earned his keep in Year 1 however, beating out veteran George Odum thus far.

Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen’s secondary can be so much better though. If they just add another star veteran to tow the line.

Two names come to mind here.

Budda Baker

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Stats: 8 games played, 79 combined tackles, 2 pass defenses, 69.3 PFF grade

Contract: 4-years, $59 million (final year)

Likely Cost: 2nd or 3rd-Round Pick(s)

Tyrann Mathieu

Team: New Orleans Saints

Stats: 8 games played, 33 combined tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass defenses, 1 forced fumble, 62.7 PFF grade

Contract: 2-years, $13.75 million

Likely Cost: 3rd or 4th-Round Pick

Best Fit: Budda Baker

Pipe Dream: Derwin James Jr.

The safety position is likely the last of the 49ers’ wishlist this trade deadline. But we all know that Lynch isn’t afraid to go after the right player, especially if it’s a position he’s familiar with.

Baker is the ultimate glue guy, running around and commanding the field for the past half-decade. It’s unlikely Arizona moves its’ perennial star to a division rival. Yet, crazier things have happened in the desert.

Should the Cardinals be willing to play ball, the 49ers will definitely listen.

Consider it unlikely though.

As for Mathieu, that is possible. But, it requires the 49ers to take on his multi-year deal.

How confident Lynch and Shanahan are in their backline long-term will be determined next week.

Budda Baker leads #AZCardinals w/79 tackles (4 TFL).

Is 6x Pro Bowl safety tracking for his best season ever??

-2022: 111 Tkls, 2 INT, 7 PD in 15 gms
-2021: 98 Tkls, 3 INT, 7 PD, 6 TFL
-2020: T-1st NFL DB’s w/118 Tkls + 2 INT, 6 PD in 15 gms
-2019: led NFL DB’s w/147 Tkls… https://t.co/jv3BuEaAm6

— Paul Calvisi (@PaulCalvisi) October 31, 2024