SF 49ers: 5 players John Lynch needs to have on trade block
By Peter Panacy
The 2020 NFL trade deadline is approaching, and the SF 49ers would be wise to at least put these five players on the trade block.
The SF 49ers may not do any business between now and the 2020 NFL trade deadline. But as the 1999 cult classic movie, The Boondock Saints, referenced to 7-11 stores, “We’re not always doing business, but we’re always open.”
That should be how general manager John Lynch approaches this year’s trade deadline.
The 4-3 Niners are in a bit of a precarious spot, at least as far as being buyers or sellers. With seven total playoff spots in the conference, they’re anything but completely out of it. Yet San Francisco is also last in the NFC West and looking ahead at a daunting schedule, which includes a Week 8 road matchup against the division-leading one-loss Seattle Seahawks.
What happens there could influence whether or not the SF 49ers should be sellers at the deadline. But even if the Niners win that game, it wouldn’t hurt Lynch and Co. to have at least a number of on-roster players sitting on the trade block ahead of the deadline.
Even if San Francisco is only able to get modest returns on some of these names, such moves might be beneficial in the long run.
Let’s take a look at who should be on the Niners trade block between now and Nov. 3.
No. 5: SF 49ers Wide Receiver Dante Pettis
Yes, it’s your weekly “wide receiver Dante Pettis needs to be moved” suggestion. Although this time, there are some teeth to the statement.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Niners have already shopped the third-year wide receiver, who has again found himself a regular inactive on San Francisco’s roster after seemingly turning things around briefly in training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan later confirmed the rumor, although he said there wasn’t anything imminent just yet.
It’s clear the SF 49ers don’t have much by the way of plans for Pettis, particularly after investing high draft capital in starting wideouts Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk the last two years. Pettis also stands to benefit from a fresh start. Considering he’s on his rookie contract and flashed some impressive outings his rookie season only two years ago, there’s probably some value left somewhere.
Even if the Niners take a hit on their 2018 second-round investment, anything in return would be a bonus against a likely waiving of him ahead of the 2021 season.