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San Francisco 49ers: 3 ‘crazy’ trades to make before Week 1 of 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Wide receiver Pierre Garcon #15 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch over cornerback Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Wide receiver Pierre Garcon #15 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch over cornerback Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Trade No. 2: Wide Receiver Pierre Garçon to the Patriots

OK, so this move was one listed on my previous breakdown of possible Niners trades before the regular season. But after watching veteran wide receiver Pierre Garçon start to develop some chemistry with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, I’ve bumped it to the “crazy but what if?” list.

And I also changed the 49ers’ return compensation from a fourth- to a fifth-round NFL Draft pick from the New England Patriots in 2019.

Doing so makes this more of an attempt by San Francisco to free up a roster spot for one of its younger wide receivers (Richie James, perhaps) while also allowing the rookie, Dante Pettis, to flourish in a featured role this season.

Again, I highly doubt the Niners move Garçon at this point. Not after seeing his work with Garoppolo in the preseason, namely in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. But the 49ers could make it work if they wanted to.

The Pats could use a versatile, physical wide receiver with veteran prowess while their window with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady remains open. Plus, the flexibility of having option years on Garçon’s contract for 2019, 2020 and 2021 makes this move for New England head coach Bill Belichick one with tremendous flexibility.

Instead of speculating whether or not this should happen, just ask yourself if you’d be OK if such a move was announced tomorrow.