NFL trade deadline 2022: 3 positions John Lynch, 49ers must address

49ers NFL trade deadline need No. 3: Interior defensive line

John Lynch threw even more assets at the interior of the 49ers’ defensive line last offseason, but those efforts have already proven to be not enough.

Especially in the wake of two of the team’s starting D-linemen, Arik Armstead (foot) and Javon Kinlaw (knee), having missed multiple weeks already because of injuries. And with head coach Kyle Shanahan telling reporters that it’d be possible for Kinlaw to land on injured reserve, signs aren’t good for the starting prowess of this particular group.

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That Niners defense lacked the interior defensive thump during the Week 6 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons. And while reserve D-linemen like Hassan Ridgeway, Kevin Givens and Charles Omenihu have performed well in limited action, they’re not full-time starters.

If there’s a good thing, interior D-linemen don’t tend to cost a lot in terms of trade value, meaning Lynch might be able to land some reinforcements relatively cheaply.

Should any move bolster the depth and help revert this unit back to the prowess it had towards the beginning of the season, it’d be worthwhile.

The 2022 NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. ET.