SF 49ers: 3 trade targets on Jaguars as they hold fire sale
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Trade Target No. 2: Offensive Guard A.J. Cann
If wide receiver hasn’t been the biggest issue for San Francisco during training camp, it’s been the offensive line. Especially within the interior.
The SF 49ers are expected to miss starting center Weston Richburg (knee) for at least the first six weeks of the regular season. His primary backup, Ben Garland, has been banged up with an ankle injury, and even his status for the regular-season opener on Sept. 13 is in question. The injuries have forced presumed starting right guard Daniel Brunskill over to center in a patchwork move, leaving a notable void at right guard.
That void is currently being filled by the veteran, Tom Compton, and the 2020 fifth-round rookie, Colton McKivitz. Neither player has exactly shined during camp, giving up regular pressures to the Niners’ second- and third-string defensive linemen.
While he wouldn’t be a massive get for San Francisco, trying to engineer a trade for Jaguars right guard A.J. Cann would at least provide an upgrade. The 28-year-old former third-round pick of Jacksonville from 2015 has missed all but five starts over his five-year career. He’s not flashy or particularly elite, but he would be a clear upgrade over both Compton and McKivitz.
It wouldn’t be cheap, especially from a financial standpoint. Cann is set to earn over $6.3 million in 2020 and is signed through 2021 with a potential earning of the same number. Yet there’s zero in guaranteed money for 2021, making a possible cap-casualty situation much more likely if the Niners wind up in some financial hardship.
Plus, this would allow San Francisco to move on from Compton, saving some money there, too.