5 players SF 49ers should try moving at 2020 NFL trade deadline
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Trade Candidate No. 4: Quarterback Nick Mullens
The 49ers and quarterback Nick Mullens didn’t do themselves any favors in Week 4 by watching the signal-caller’s efforts against the Philadelphia Eagles flame out by halftime in front of a prime-time audience on Sunday Night Football.
Mullens could have been a hot trade-talk topic ahead of the NFL trade deadline before his woefully inadequate 200-yard, one-touchdown, two-interception performance during that contest, particularly for teams looking to transition from one quarterback to another and needing a potentially good fill-in option in between.
After Mullens lost the No. 2 job to back up the starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, it’s likely the former’s trade value will never be as high as it was entering last offseason when the Niners reportedly turned down multiple trade offers for him.
The SF 49ers are probably kicking themselves for that now.
At any rate, it would still be wise for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to explore what they could get from Mullens on the open market. Mullens will be a restricted free agent in 2021, giving a would-be trade partner some potential options towards keeping him around on a relatively inexpensive deal.
Perhaps teams like Washington, the Jets, the Dallas Cowboys (especially after quarterback Dak Prescott’s injury) or the Carolina Panthers would consider a late-round pick offered up for Mullens’ services.