Niner Noise
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5 trade candidates the 49ers may move before the regular season

By Peter Panacy

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) is upended by Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart (26) in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) is upended by Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart (26) in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Tight End Vance McDonald

Tight end Vance McDonald was on the trade block once already this offseason, which means he’s likely still there.

Especially after San Francisco added former Iowa tight end George Kittle in the NFL Draft.

McDonald’s hold on the No. 1 spot is precarious at best. Yet one of the stranger moves former general manager Trent Baalke made last year was to extend McDonald through 2021.

Not exactly the best option, especially considering the tight end’s unreliable hands.

Considering his now-lengthy contract, cutting him would be difficult. So moving McDonald via a trade seems more than just sensible. It’s almost likely the Niners try to move him and allow a younger tight end, like Kittle, a chance to showcase his value.

The trick is, of course, finding a suitor.

It’s highly unlikely San Francisco gets anything much in terms of a return. Maybe a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Yet McDonald did post career highs in receiving yards (391) and touchdowns (four) last year, so maybe that’s a good piece of bait. And his blocking is good enough to suggest he’s a commodity as well.

The fact no trade materialized before the draft is ominous. But the NFL’s landscape will be vastly different between now and the regular season.