Niner Noise
FanSided

5 players the 49ers should explore trading before Week 1

By Peter Panacy

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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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)
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. 5: Offensive Guard Joshua Garnett

Let’s admit it: It’s going to be tough trading away offensive guard Joshua Garnett, particularly after the former first-round draft choice of the 49ers fell out of favor with Shanahan back in 2017. Garnett missed that year with a knee injury, which carried over into 2018.

And now, surgery on a dislocated finger is going to keep Garnett out for at least three weeks. That will cost the lineman valuable reps in camp, as well as a good chunk of the preseason.

Garnett’s value on the open market is going to be low, perhaps no lower than at any other point in his professional career. As such, it’s likely he’ll command nothing more than a sixth- or seventh-round pick from a desperate team.

That said, there are a few desperate line-needy teams out there. The Miami Dolphins could use help up front. So could the Houston Texans.

Garnett is still a former first-round draftee, and he earned the Outland Trophy (awarded to college football’s best interior lineman) back in 2015. And a change of scenery would likely do him some good.

If San Francisco can execute some sort of minimal-return trade for Garnett, even just a Round 7 pick, it’s better than simply cutting him after training camp.