The San Francisco 49ers won a pivotal game over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5, but it didn't come without a cost. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to miss at least several weeks.
The Niners will now add Samuel to their laundry list of sidelined pass catchers. Outside of Mike Evans, the best available option heading into Week 6 might be recently signed (and 13-year veteran) Brandin Cooks. Therefore, head coach Kyle Shanahan might have no choice but to go against his better judgment and pursue a high-ceiling wide receiver who has fallen off in recent years.
Earlier this year, the 49ers were listed as a potential fit for Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The rumors were more speculative, though, and Thomas doesn't exactly fit the prototype Shanahan looks for in a receiver.
49ers have lost their right to be picky in the trade market
Thomas Jr. is currently being squeezed out of the rotation in Jacksonville, likely because of his inability to block, among other factors. The deficiency wouldn't fly in San Francisco, either, as many receivers have found themselves in Shanahan's doghouse for the same reason.
But given the circumstances, it may be time for the play caller to compromise on some things in order to give his quarterback more weapons.
Still on his rookie deal, Thomas Jr. would be a cost-effective addition. He is a proven talent who has been black-balled into a complementary role. Even if he struggles to block, he could serve as a deep-threat option in three-receiver sets and watch from the sidelines on heavier personnel.
In short, just because he struggles in one area doesn't mean he can't be serviceable in another.
Brian Thomas Jr.'s skillset is exactly what 49ers lack
BTJ would give the Niners something they have lost this year: upside. Over the last few games, their offense has started to show some cracks. They scored just three points in the first half against the Denver Broncos, and 21 of their 32 points in Week 5 against the Seahawks came via turnovers.
Young, athletic receivers like Ricky Pearsall and De'Zhaun Stribling were supposed to be the explosive pieces of the offense. The loss of Demarcus Robinson in Week 3 didn't help, either. Now, the 49ers have no way to take the top off of opposing defenses.
Trading for a burner like Brian Thomas Jr. would be exactly what quarterback Brock Purdy needs to space out the field.
Even if the third-year man ends up running go routes as a decoy, he would still serve a vital purpose. However, it is more likely that, with a play caller like Shanahan and an elite deep ball passer like Purdy, the 49ers could tap back into the potential the wideout flashed as a rookie just a couple of years ago.
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