SF 49ers: 5 trades John Lynch should explore during 2021 offseason

John Lynch and the SF 49ers haven’t been shy about making offseason trades, and these five moves could be looked at as possible in 2021.

Almost a year ago, the SF 49ers elected to make a blockbuster deal by sending away Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft.

It was a massive gamble. Buckner was a team centerpiece and a locker-room leader, yet the Niners weren’t able to find a way to work his contractual demands into their own financial constraints. Whether or not it was the right move by general manager John Lynch can be debated, but it did showcase Lynch’s willingness to make big-name moves during the offseason.

Heading into the 2021 offseason, Lynch and Co. could be faced with even more challenges. A decreased salary cap, limited cap space and nearly 40 players pegged for some form of free agency mean San Francisco has to tread carefully if it wants to get back into the postseason this year.

Additionally, there’s speculation the SF 49ers could move on from their starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, opening up a slew of trade possibilities not unlike the blockbuster deal between the LA Rams and Detroit Lions for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Perhaps the Niners want to keep pace. Perhaps not.

At any rate, San Francisco is certainly keeping its proverbial ears to the ground this offseason, and Lynch won’t shy away from taking those kinds of gambles like the one he did with Buckner in early 2020.

With that context as a backdrop, here are five trades Lynch and the SF 49ers could explore this offseason.