NFL trade deadline: 5 players the 49ers should try moving in 2018

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 6: Guard Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers prepares for a game against the New Orleans Saints on November, 6 2016 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Saints won 41-23. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Offensive Guard Joshua Garnett

Now we’re starting to get into the players who could realistically be traded between now and the NFL trade deadline.

One is third-year offensive guard Joshua Garnett, who has appeared in just one game since the conclusion of his rookie 2016 season. Granted, injuries have been a factor. He missed all of 2017 with a knee injury, and the same knee gave him trouble in training camp.

Now, it’s a toe injury.

It’s pretty clear Garnett isn’t a part of the 49ers’ current regime’s long-term plans. The team signed veteran lineman Mike Person during the offseason, and he’s started every game at right guard since. Garnett has been relegated to a first-round backup when healthy.

Still on his rookie contract, Garnett has some modest value for a team looking for a quality power-scheme run-blocking guard — both his fortes at the college level at Stanford. Finding a comparison, it wouldn’t be unlike what the Niners did to acquire Laken Tomlinson early in 2017.

There are more than a few teams needing some offensive line help. And while Garnett’s stock value is still pretty low, San Francisco might as well cut its losses and see what it can get in return.