5 players 49ers must aggressively shop at 2021 trade deadline
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Tight End Ross Dwelley
OK, we’re getting into the portion of the trade-push list where San Francisco has to think hard about giving up an asset it likes but for the better long-term returns. Not just trading away players who have never truly contributed.
In this case, moving No. 2 tight end Ross Dwelley would be a bit of a gut-check move. After all, Dwelley has proven to be a quality backup to the All-Pro, George Kittle, when Kittle has dealt with what’s turned into a recognizable injury history.
Except for this year, though, as Dwelley has only four catches for 51 yards despite Kittle already having missed two games because of a calf injury.
Still, the 49ers may be able to sell Dwelley on his previous laurels, including being productive enough in 2020 with 245 receiving yards when Kittle missed much of the season. That certainly could help.
And so could the fact the tight end market in advance of the NFL trade deadline is awfully thin, especially in the wake of the Philadelphia Eagles moving tight end Zach Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals not long ago.
Parting ways with Dwelley would put more pressure on Kittle to stay healthy, and it would also emphasize the need to develop No. 3 tight end Charlie Woerner into more than just a blocker.
But if there’s any decent return, it could be worthwhile.