With the 2022 NFL trade deadline approaching, 49ers general manager John Lynch should be working the phones to upgrade these three positions.
While most teams aren’t always aggressive at the NFL trade deadline, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has had a recent history of making some pretty notable moves.
The most notable, of course, was the 2017 acquisition of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo just before that year’s deadline, followed by picking up wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders back in 2019. And when things haven’t been so great for the Niners, as was the case in 2020, Lynch didn’t hesitate to move players for assets, such as moving linebacker Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints.
With a 3-3 record with two more games to play before the 2022 NFL trade deadline, San Francisco is still in a position where it can either decide to be a buyer or fall back upon being a seller, particularly if it loses its next two contests.
However, assuming the 49ers want to take advantage of a notably weaker NFC West, perhaps Lynch wants to act more aggressively.
Keep in mind, the Niners don’t own a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, thanks to the 2021 move for quarterback Trey Lance, and they have just over $4.5 million in salary cap space, according to Over the Cap.
Those facts will put some restraints on what Lynch might be able to do before the deadline.
But he can at least start by looking at some of the specific needs San Francisco has on its roster heading toward the middle stretch of the season.
Let’s look at three of those needs he has to address.
49ers NFL trade deadline need No. 1: Cornerback
The loss of No. 2 cornerback Emmanuel Moseley to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 5 was a devastating blow.
While fellow corner Charvarius Ward has rightfully earned the praise for helping turn around the 49ers secondary, Moseley has been equally as impressive and was putting together a career-defining year opposite Moseley.
True, the Niners are eagerly awaiting the return of veteran cornerback Jason Verrett off the physically unable-to-perform list, where he started the year after recovering from a torn ACL suffered early in 2021.
Yet Verrett is injury-prone, too, and it would be unwise for San Francisco to truly rely on him.
Behind Verrett, the 49ers don’t have much depth. At least not the starting-caliber variety, meaning John Lynch should at least explore some modest options who can help alleviate the loss of Moseley.
Verrett might still be the go-to option to replace Moseley, but the Niners can’t afford to proceed with him without a contingency plan in place.
49ers NFL trade deadline need No. 2: Interior offensive line
In theory, San Francisco could do with some reinforcements along the entire offensive line and not just the interior, as All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams remains banged up with an ankle sprain and right tackle Mike McGlinchey is dealing with a calf problem.
Surprisingly, the 49ers’ two guards, Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford, have held their own this season, but center Jake Brendel is something of a liability.
Forgivable, considering he had only three regular-season starts dating back to 2016 before being named the starter this year. But that only serves to illustrate the point that the Niners need to find an upgrade.
There don’t appear to be too many centers on the trade block leading up to the deadline, however, it’s possible John Lynch looks to take advantage of the Carolina Panthers’ apparent fire sale in the wake of firing head coach Matt Rhule, possibly eyeing someone like offensive lineman Austin Corbett, who offers flexibility at both guard and center.
Corbett, who also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, is familiar with the kind of offense San Francisco runs.
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.