49ers roster: 5 creative trades John Lynch could execute in 2022
By Peter Panacy
Creative Trade No. 3: 49ers trade Dre Greenlaw to NY Jets
OK, finally moving away from Jimmy Garoppolo… somewhat.
The 49ers have a problem entering 2022, but it’s a good problem to have: an abundance of starting-caliber linebackers.
The trio of Fred Warner, Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw won’t be tenable forever, especially with Greenlaw hitting the final year of his rookie contract and Al-Shaair a restricted free agent, who’d command almost $4 million this season if offered a second-round RFA tender.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets head into the offseason after recording the NFL’s worst defense, both in terms of points and yards allowed, and there should be no short measure taken by head coach Robert Saleh and Co. to improve that side of the ball.
Greenlaw, despite dealing with serious groin injuries for much of last season, would be a massive cog in revamping Gang Green’s defense, reuniting with his former defensive coordinator in Saleh, and New York would be happy to absorb the final year of Greenlaw’s contract on the cheap.
As far as a third-round pick going back to the Niners, Greenlaw would stand about a 75-percent chance of being more impactful a player than anyone the Jets could likely land there in what’s shaping up to be an awfully top-heavy NFL Draft class.