The 49ers went all-in this season when they traded four future draft picks to acquire running back Christian McCaffrey last week. However, there are still five days until the trade deadline. Could another movement be on the horizon? While the Niners currently have only five picks in the upcoming draft, they should get a trio of compensatory picks for Day 3 this offseason. Plus, they could get another compensatory third round if defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is hired by another team as head coach. While those picks can’t be traded yet, it’s easier for the 49ers to part ways with one of their current picks.
Here are five potential targets in a minor trade:
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE (Broncos)
If the 49ers make another trade, the defense is a more obvious place to target. However, if a good player becomes available on the other side of the ball, the front office should not be afraid to strike. Albert Okwuegbunam was expected to emerge as the Broncos started the tight end this season after trading George Fant. Instead, he was a healthy scratch last week.
What happened?
Well, Albert O is a terrible blocker. Given how much Kyle Shanahan despises talented players who are passive blockers, that likely means the Niners want nothing to do with Okwuegbunam. That said, the 49ers have been looking for a second tight end behind George Kittle for years. It looks like a
Okwuegbunam is on minimum wage this year and next, which would give the Niners staff an opportunity to focus with Okwuegbunam on improving his blocking this season before playing a bigger role next season.
Estimated trade return: SWAP 2023 SF COMP 3rd round pick with DEN 2023 4th round pick
Michael Brockers, DL (Lions)
Michael Brockers was a consistent and versatile contributor on the Rams defensive line for 11 seasons before signing a three-year contract with the Lions before last season. Since arriving in Detroit, however, Brockers’ production has plummeted. At 31, Brockers may no longer be a viable contributor, but it’s easy to envision a renaissance alongside Nick Bosa.
Barring a great second half of the season, Brocker is going to be released by the Lions this offseason. With that in mind, it’s hard to imagine Detroit passing up an opportunity to recoup any capital project for Brockers at the deadline.
The Niners would be responsible for about half of Brockers’ $3 million base salary this season (though Detroit could recoup some of that). Still, his $10 million base salary in 2023 is entirely unsecured, meaning the 49ers can release him after this season without incurring dead money.
Although not quite on the level of Arik Armstead, Brockers has a similar versatility, splitting his time between the edge and the inside defensive line in recent seasons. Brockers would be a great candidate to help fill Armstead’s shoes while he suffers from plantar fasciitis, but could also play a role if Armstead returns.
Estimated Trade Return: 2023 SF 7th Round Pick
Payton Turner, DL (Saints)
With Marcus Davenport set to become a free agent, it seems hard to imagine the Saints trading Payton Turner, their first-round pick in the 2021 draft. However, injuries and poor play have limited him to just 15 tackles and one sack in eight career NFL games.
At 6’6”-270 lbs. Turner is an impressive athlete in his size on the defensive line. The Niners have a great track record for helping defensive linemen make the most of their potential. Additionally, defensive linemen Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, Kerry Hyder, Maurice Hurst, Akeem Spence, Jordan Willis, Hassan Ridgeway, Kemoko Turay and Kevin Givens are all expected to be free agents after this season. While Turner isn’t an immediate contributor with the Niners, acquiring him now could give the staff time to groom him for a bigger role next season.
Estimated commercial return: SWAP 2023 SF Comp 3rd with 2024 NON 5th
Caleb Farley, BC (Titans)
Another former first-round pick, Caleb Farley, has struggled to find his footing in the NFL. Farley appeared in just three games as a rookie before tearing his ACL. This season, Farley has been mostly healthy but has been relegated to Tennessee’s depth chart. In fact, Farley has already expressed his frustration with his lack of playing time this season.
Farley was considered a low-floor, high-ceiling prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft, but if the Niners’ scouting staff believed in his potential at the time, this could be the perfect opportunity to buy low. . With two years remaining on Farley’s rookie contract, the Niners would look to solidify their depth this season before potentially playing an expanded role next year. With Emmanuel Moseley set to be a free agent, Farley could be a potential low-cost replacement.
Admittedly, Farley’s limited playing time has been lousy. The Niners coaching staff should help him take big steps forward to be a competent option. However, the advantage is there to justify an exchange.
It seems hard to believe the Titans would trade a first-round pick less than two years into his career, but unlike New Orleans with Turner, Tennessee has quality players ahead of Farley under contract beyond this season. This should make it easier on the stomach to trade it for minimal value. A 5th-round pick and former underperforming third-round corner like Ambry Thomas should be enough of a comeback if Tennessee did indeed drop Farley.
Estimated Trade Return: 2023 SF 5th Round Pick Ambry Thomas
William Jackson III, CB (Commanders)
Farley would be an exciting acquisition for this season and beyond. That said, William Jackson III is a much more pragmatic potential acquisition. A seven-year NFL veteran, Jackson has started 64 career games and signed a three-year, $40.5 million contract with the Commanders before last season. Since he signed his contract with Cin
The 49ers would be liable for a pro-rated portion of $5.75 million unless they can get commanders to cover some of the money. That should be a manageable request, as it should be released this offseason.
The Niners would have control of Jackson until next season, but with no guaranteed money and a cap of $10.25 million, he would almost certainly have to agree to restructure his contract or be released given the cap situation. from San Francisco. Considering the injuries suffered by the 49ers secondary, Jackson’s experience should still have value as a hire.
Estimated Trade Return: 2023 SF SWAP 5th Round Pick with 2024 WSH 7th Round Pick
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