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Pros and cons for a 49ers trade for Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown

By Peter Panacy

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a 7 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter during the game against Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers on September 20, 2015 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a 7 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter during the game against Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers on September 20, 2015 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers after a catch in the first half at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers after a catch in the first half at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Verdict

So, should San Francisco go after Antonio Brown if he’s indeed made available through a trade?

Absolutely.

This isn’t to say it will happen. There are other situations and suitors likely willing to bid more on Brown’s services than the 49ers right now. Yet if there is a way to do it that is within John Lynch’s comfort level, the Niners would be more than wise to make a deal happen.

Chew on these numbers, courtesy of our friend Al Sacco over at 49ers Webzone:

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has worked wonders with top-tier wide receivers before. He’s already done this with a less-than-stellar receiving cast in San Francisco the last two years — one marked by constant injuries and third- and fourth-string players.

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Going back to the Brown-versus-Riley Ridley argument, which player would you rather have? Would you take a promising-yet-unproven commodity in Ridley, or someone else in the NFL Draft, for that matter? Or would a seven-time Pro Bowler with at least three or four more years’ worth of solid production seem more enticing.

Probably the latter.

There will be, of course, question marks about Brown’s attitude and “diva” personality. Why would Pittsburgh want to deal off a top commodity?

Well, maybe this is the reason. Perhaps Brown isn’t the problem with the Steelers. But whatever the case may be back east, San Francisco should try to become the beneficiary by making a realistic move for Brown when possible.

Next. 5 reasons the 49ers are playoff contenders in 2019. dark

If not, nothing lost, right?