Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who could possibly be moved at the NFL trade deadline

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 4: EDGE Aaron Lynch

Fellow EDGE Aaron Lynch might be the 49ers’ best pass-rusher with the most upside. But as anyone who has watched the Niners the last couple of seasons can attest, Lynch has also been inconsistent and at risk for an injury.

Weight issues earlier this offseason didn’t help matters much either, although it seems Lynch has that under control.

Lynch is another Niners player with one sack on the season and a Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade of 76.3. Not bad, and certainly something San Francisco could offer to a team struggling to find some defensive prowess.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

So it makes sense ESPN’s Mark Sando (h/t David Fucillo of Niners Nation) suggested Lynch could be a commodity for a trade between San Francisco and New England. The Patriots are tied for 27th in the league with just eight sacks, so the possibility is there.

Why a Trade Makes Sense

A Lynch-to-New England deal could certainly invigorate the Pats’ anemic pass rush, and Lynch’s 15 career sacks over four years (12.5 his first two seasons) have to be worth noting.

Additionally, Lynch is only 24 years old and has a lot of ceiling left, potentially.

Keep in mind, the Niners have played Lynch on only 69 snaps through four games, so it’s a real possibility he’s not being viewed as a part of the team’s long-term plans beyond this season.

Why It Doesn’t

Lynch is a free agent after this season. Unlike MLB or the NHL, NFL teams typically don’t dish out draft picks for “rental” players unless absolutely necessary, and Lynch isn’t someone who should strike a contender as a true difference maker.

In addition to the Niners’ own depth, Lynch still might be the best pass-rushing commodity on the team, which suggests the possibility of an extension from San Francisco.