One of the nice things about recent NFL Draft trends is that, every year, it appears as if the wide receiver class is awfully deep.
Despite an otherwise lackluster class overall, the 2026 draft had no shortage of wide receivers throughout all seven rounds, many of which figure to become hefty contributors in one form or another. In total, nearly 40 receivers heard their names called over the three-day event.
One of those was now-San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, selected 33rd overall.
Of course, the Niners needed to infuse plenty of talent into the position, thanks to the free-agent departure of Jauan Jennings and the ongoing and ugly saga surrounding disgruntled wideout Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk is still on the roster, technically. But San Francisco's brass made it clear he won't ever play a snap in the red and gold again.
The only matter now is how the 49ers rid themselves of Aiyuk, and that's where a post-draft trade-speculation piece by Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo came into play.
SI suggests it'd be a surprise if 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk
Melo's list included several receivers who could be on the move in the wake of the draft, headlined by the ongoing drama surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles and their own disgruntled wide receiver, A.J. Brown.
While that story has garnered far more storylines than Aiyuk, it's interesting to note how Melo included the Niners' leading receiver from 2023 on the list despite the obvious fact he'll be ousted at some point between now and Sept. 1.
Here's what Melo had to say:
Brandon Aiyuk will not play another snap for the San Francisco 49ers. That statement is as close to factual as any NFL prediction can get. With the Washington Commanders interested, the 49ers are simply navigating the most resourceful way to confirm his departure. In preparation for the inevitable, they went out and signed Mike Evans and drafted De'Zhaun Stribling.
Reading between the lines, Melo's take includes the standoff between San Francisco and Washington—the 49ers want to get something in return for Aiyuk, but the Commanders don't want to trade for a player who'll be made available in the not-too-distant future.
Included in Melo's title, "Shocking WR Trades Nobody Saw Coming," perhaps it would be a shocker if the Niners somehow figured out a way to convince the Commanders to make the trade.
Because, by in large, Washington has no interest in doing that.
Add us as a preferred source on Google