It's still possible 49ers trade Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk this summer

The San Francisco 49ers came up just short of winning a sixth Super Bowl back in February. With the 2024 NFL Draft now over, and the most important waves of free agency just about wrapped up, the Niners have solidified their current wide receiver room to about the most maximum extent possible.

However, there is still time this summer to make changes.

Returning are veterans Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, and of course, the popular Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk's name has been attached to recent trade chatter within the league. But Aiyuk may not be the only wideout San Francisco moves after drafting two more last April, including one in the first round.

Currently, the main three receivers are Samuel, Aiyuk and Jennings. Both Chris Conley and Ronnie Bell are coming back, too, at least for now.

However, in a forward-thinking pair of moves, the 49ers added Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick and then doubled down by taking Jacob Cowing late in the fourth round. The pair of rookies not only provide depth at the position but could serve as an insurance policy if Aiyuk or Samuel were to leave via trade.

What changes might occur for 49ers at wide receiver?

While it's quite possible Aiyuk gets traded prior to the start of the season, Samuel could be moved, too. The injury bug has bit him multiple times in key games during his career, and his current contract is a bit of an albatross that'll challenge a cap-stressed Niners squad.

With the additions of Pearsall and Cowing, this increases the chances that San Francisco could be shopping either star.

Aiyuk or Deebo could net a future first- or second-round draft pick for the 49ers. This was the market value for now-Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs when he was traded recently from the Buffalo Bills.

Teams who are hungry for wide receivers may offer value to the Niners in return. Such teams include the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers in addition to the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders.

Another possibility is trading out a receiver for another. The Newe England Patriots may give up on JuJu Smith-Schuster if someone like San Francisco wants to take on the remainder of his contract. Trading within the division may not be as likely, but the Seattle Seahawks may make either wideouts, Tyler Lockett or DK Metcalf, available to potential suitors.

The most likely of scenarios, though, is the 49ers retaining their top two stars while hoping to mesh someone like Pearsall into a long-term featured role.

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