3 more players 49ers can look to move at NFL trade deadline
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers don’t necessarily need to sell at the 2022 NFL trade deadline, but another loss could convince John Lynch to move these three players.
The last time we suggested some players the San Francisco 49ers could potentially trade away before the 2022 NFL trade deadline, we weren’t quite sure if they’d be buyers or sellers.
In the wake of the Niners’ blockbuster acquisition of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers, however, it appears as if general manager John Lynch is putting San Francisco into the “buyers” category.
However, McCaffrey is a long-term addition, given he’s under contract through 2025. Yet the 49ers gave up plenty of NFL Draft capital to get him, following their 2021 move to trade up for quarterback Trey Lance.
So, even if the Niners made moves for high-profile players, it wouldn’t hurt to restock the coffers with more draft picks, even if they’re of the mid- or late-round variety.
Even though San Francisco might not get much of anything from these players, moving them via trade would at least net something.
49ers NFL trade deadline move No. 1: RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
McCaffrey arriving into the fray immediately makes the 49ers’ previous interim starter, Jeff Wilson Jr., somewhat expendable.
And then even more expendable by the time fellow running back Elijah Mitchell returns from an MCL sprain suffered in Week 1.
To maximize the McCaffrey addition, the Niners will want to ensure he sees plenty of snaps, and there’ll only be so much room for him, Mitchell and Wilson on the depth chart, particularly if San Francisco retains its rather provocative commitment to fellow rusher Tevin Coleman.
Wilson does have value, even though teams typically don’t trade for running backs (hey now, 49ers). An underrated pass-catcher and someone who can play physical in a power scheme but has the speed to get outside, Lynch should dangle Wilson to see if there’d be any takers.