Possible 49ers Targets ahead of the Trade Deadline
Save the season, or ride it out?
The San Francisco 49ers are in a tough spot this trade deadline. At 6-3, and 3-0 in the division, it feels like this team should be doing what they can to compete in an open NFC and NFL. But injury after injury, it feels like they may be past the point of just patching up a few spots. The 49ers can’t replace Nick Bosa or Fred Warner, so is it worth spending draft capital in an attempt to make a run?
Whether they will or won’t is moot, because we don’t know how John Lynch and company view this season internally. All we can assume is they want to win, and will make moves accordingly. Here are a few names to keep an eye out for ahead of the trade deadline.
Potential Trade Candidates
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals
Hendrickson would be an instant boost for the 49ers’ pass rush with his contract in its final year, and the Bengals unlikely to make the playoffs. A trade seems like a win-win for both teams. Trey boasts a 20% pass rush win rate, ranking third, making him the perfect target. He’s arguably the closest thing to Nick Bosa available on the market, though acquiring him would come at a significant cost.
The 49ers would have to be careful about over indulging, as they’d have three prominent DEs on the roster next year taking up bigger cap hits, all while trying to balance the development of Mykel Williams. However, if Bosa and Williams both need time into next season to recover, Hendrickson could feasibly be the force that keeps the pass rush alive in that time.
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, New York Jets
Johnson was a first-round pick to the Jets when Robert Saleh was the head coach. Johnson was off to a great start to his career, but suffered an achilles injury early in 2024. He has recorded 14 pressures on 130 pass rush attempts thus far, showing some return to form. A mid-round pick may be worth the investment with his 5th-year option still on the table as a possible long-term option.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Could the 49ers make an explosive play this deadline? Unlikely, but it’s worth considering. Pearsall has been out for some time now and his prognosis hasn’t been clear. With Brandon Aiyuk still sidelined and Kittle refusing to stop aging, it’s worth a consideration for a long-term play maker.
The Dolphins will be hesitant to move on, as they could use one piece to rebuild the offense around. However, Waddle has shown the upside to be a legit WR1 with gamebreaking speed that doesn’t require him to get the ball to have an affect on the defense. Within Mike McDaniel’s scheme, there would be little turnover in what he’d be expected to do here.
Arden Key, EDGE, Tennessee Titans
A pass rusher for the Tennessee Titans, he is generating buzz as a potential trade target in their lost season. His familiarity with the 49ers’ makes him an intriguing option as a rotational player, having spent a year under DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco back in 2021. A swap involving late-round picks could prove to be a smart move for the 49ers, especially with the injury concerns mounting.
Christian Harris, LB, Houston Texans
Harris would not be the player to replace Fred Warner. However, he’s a viable player whose lost playing time under former 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans. A strong downhill presence, Harris at 24-years old can be another piece added to help fix the run defense long-term, and add depth and rotation to a thin corp now.
Evan Neal, OL, New York Giants
The former top-10 draft pick to the Giants has been benched after failing at both tackle and guard in his short stint. It shouldn’t cost much to add depth to a beat up line, and may be worth the risk considering how hard it is acquire the position.
The 49ers have done well to reclaim other former lineman like Laken Tomlinson, so Evan Neal’s versatility and traits make him an intriguing project.
Demario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints
Davis could be a strategic target to fill the void left by Fred Warner. Davis, a former all-pro at 35 years old, has spent his entire career with the Saints. However, with the team currently in rebuild mode, New Orleans may finally relent and move on. A short-term move, this could give Davis a real shot at the playoffs and success; a fitting finale to his career.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Myers had a strong showing last year, racking up over 1000 yards receiving and making 87 catches. He clearly lacks chemistry with Geno Smith, and he has struggled, which is why I could see the Raiders trading him. He is precisely the kind of wide receiver that Shanahan could utilize effectively; however, his future role depends on how long the 49ers believe Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk will be sidelined due to injury.