The San Francisco 49ers face the Washington Commanders in a Monday Night Football matchup in Week 6. At 5-0, they look to maintain their firm control over the NFC West, while the Commanders, at 1-3-1, look to stay afloat in their own divisional race.
These two teams are clearly on different paths this season. Those paths, however, might very well cross again closer to the November 10th trade deadline.
Washington is 4th in the NFC East and doesn't appear to be close to figuring things out. With looming matchups against the Niners, Eagles, and Rams, there is a legitimate chance they could start the season 1-6-1, virtually ending any and all playoff hopes.
With one team flourishing and the other one tanking, the two squads might be a match made in heaven when it comes to trade talks. On Monday, the Niners will get a first-hand glimpse at a few players they could target to fill ongoing holes in the depth chart created by injury.
49ers must look at and evaluate Commanders' Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin is a clear name that comes to mind when thinking of potential trade fits for the red and gold. It's obvious Shanahan prefers seasoned veterans who are willing to do what it takes to win. McLaurin is just that.
After registering five 1,000-plus-yard receiving seasons in a row, Scary Terry battled through injury last year and fell well short of that mark after appearing in just 10 games. He's off to another slow start this year, but a move to the West Coast could rejuvenate him, just as it has rejuvenated Mike Evans.
Brock Purdy would be a significant improvement at quarterback, and McLaurin could be an effective complementary piece in a wide receiver room that has been marred by health concerns.
Though his lofty three-year, $96 million contract runs through 2028, the 49ers have the most cap space in the league and could take on the salary if need be.
Commanders' Daron Payne could bolster the 49ers' interior depth
Rookie Gracen Halton has performed admirably in the wake of Alfred Collins' season-ending injury, but the team is extremely thin in their defensive interior. It's clear that adding another body at the position would be a much-needed boost.
The Commanders' defensive tackle, Daron Payne, is in the final year of his contract, and it makes sense for the franchise to sell him in exchange for assets. The Niners may not love the idea of sacrificing draft capital for a rental player, but they would likely pull the trigger if it meant the difference between winning the Super Bowl and coming up just short.
San Francisco's defense, led by DC Raheem Morris, is formidable, and there's no way around it. But it lacks depth. GM John Lynch must make a move to protect against any unforeseen injury or dip in performance. Payne, age 29, is about as durable as they come. He's. played at least 15 games in all eight of his professional seasons, and he has already racked up 15 pressures, good for 11th at the position.
The 49ers' Week 6 opponent is a clear candidate to sell at this year's deadline, and the 49ers are a team that could come knocking. Monday night will be a prime opportunity for the team to see a few players in action. If the Niners like what they see, there isn't much stopping them from pulling the trigger.
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