Over the weekend, the San Francisco 49ers executed a trade with the New Orleans Saints that sent fringe running back Zamir White to NOLA in exchange for a fringe linebacker, Deion Jones.
It's not exactly a deal that'd move the needle for either side. And with no reported draft compensation included, why pull off the trade anyway?
Sure, New Orleans needs help in the backfield with Alvin Kamara banged up, and Jones reunites with Niners defensive coordinator Raheem Morris after the two originally met up when both were with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016.
Now age 31, though, Jones is no longer a full-time starter and likely just helps San Francisco get through its final preseason game, as starters Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are shelved until the regular season. Jones even making the 49ers' 53-man roster seems like a longshot.
Despite the unremarkable nature of the trade, there are still some pretty telling takeaways that say a lot more than just the players involved.
For starters...
49ers see Jaden Dugger as more of an edge rusher
As Niner Noise's Zane Gelphman pointed out a day after the trade's announcement, bringing aboard another linebacker to a room that's already pretty crowded doesn't make too much sense unless one factors in rookie Jaden Dugger's versatility.
Morris sees Dugger as a chess piece, but the twitchy defender might best be utilized as an outside pass-rusher rather than clogging up the back end of the inside linebacker depth chart:
The addition of Jones only adds to the fold. With such a cramped ILB room, it only makes sense for Jaden Dugger to make the permanent transition to the outside. It's a painfully obvious move for a team that is desperate for pass-rushing help. Dugger would have the opportunity to make an immediate impact. If he has as much promise as NFL pundits have been saying, it only makes sense to create opportunities to get him on the field.
This means more snaps for the rookie rather than frequently finding himself trying to sniff the field behind Warner, Greenlaw and Co.
Plus, in light of second-year pro Nick Martin's uncertainty, as well as a preseason injury that could jeopardize his roster spot, Jones' presence at least makes those other two roster points clearer.
Christian McCaffrey 'tightness' isn't as bad as fans thought
One of the bigger camp/preseason storylines has been running back Christian McCaffrey's absence with what's been called "tightness." CMC later clarified the rumors of a contractual hold-in and the injury itself, stating this was part of a bigger plan to safeguard him against wear and tear before the games actually matter.
White, meanwhile, had 12 carries for 29 yards in his exhibition action with the 49ers prior to the trade, meaning he was at least shouldering some of the load while McCaffrey and other injured tailbacks were on the sideline.
The Niners no longer feel they need White's services, which indicates not only McCaffrey is probably good to go, but it also suggests fellow rushers like Kaelon Black (adductor) and Jordan James (ribs) are nearing their respective returns, too.
If McCaffrey's injury concerns were serious, and coupled with injuries to other tailbacks, trading White would've been an odd choice.
Instead, it's an indicator San Francisco feels OK about its depth in the backfield now.
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