Five Potential Trade Scenarios For The San Francisco 49ers Ahead Of NFL Trade Deadline

Could the San Francisco 49ers pull off a blockbuster trade for someone like New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas ahead of the NFL trade deadline? That seems highly unlikely for a number of reasons.

However, at 3-3 on the season and dealing with numerous injuries, the 49ers would like to add a reinforcement or two ahead of the Nov. 3 NFL trade deadline.

San Francisco is in the midst of a brutal seven-game stretch and is coming off an upset win over the Los Angeles Rams to snap a two-game losing streak. The issues as it relates to adding to the roster include draft capital and a lack of cap room.

General manager John Lynch and Co. are just $2.89 million under the cap heading into trade season. The team would have to restructure some contracts in order to bring in a high-priced player. It is doable. But time is running out. It’s in this that I look at five potential trade scenarios for the 49ers with the trade deadline less than three weeks away.

49ers Trade For Washington EDGE Rusher Ryan Kerrigan

This rumor has picked up some steam over the past few days. I originally mentioned it in an article back in September. And in reality, it just makes too much sense. An impending free agent, Kerrigan has seen his role with Washington impacted by the presence of rookie No. 2 overall pick Chase Young and another young first-round pick in that of Montez Sweat.

Kerrigan, 32, has played in less than one-third of Washington’s defensive snaps in four of six games this season. In doing so, he’s recorded just three quarterback hits and three sacks. Despite this, the veteran four-time Pro Bowler still has something left in in the tank.

From 2011-18, Kerrigan averaged 16 quarterback hits and 10.5 sacks per season. He’d be a nice short and long-term option for San Francisco. Over the short term, he could help the 49ers overcome the loss of Nick Bosa. Kerrigan could also replace the injury-plagued Dee Ford for the next couple seasons should the 49ers somehow find a way to re-sign him. That would lead to the release of Ford himself this coming offseason.

49ers Trade For Houston Texans Wide Receiver Will Fuller

A trade of this ilk could potentially include young wide receiver Dante Pettis heading to the Texans. Houston is in need of both young talent and draft picks after the entire Bill O’Brien mess. Pure speculation here, but the 49ers might be able to add Fuller for Pettis and a mid-round pick.

An impending free agent, Fuller likely won’t be back with the Texans next season. Acquiring him would also cost the 49ers about $6 million against the cap for the remainder of the year. They can restructure a contract or two and make this work.

Fuller, 26, has put up 28 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns in six games. However, his trade value would be impacted by past injury issues. In the end, that would only help the 49ers.

49ers Trade For New York Giants Guard Kevin Zeitler And Tight End Evan Engram

We already know New York is about to head into full-scale sell off mode ahead of the trade deadline. Zeitler and Engram join Golden Tate as those bandied about the most.

Instead of adding a receiver, San Francisco opts to bring in a versatile young tight end who has fallen out of favor in Jersey. The team had shown interest in him in the past, too. Engram, has caught 26 passes for just 223 yards this season. With that said, he has elite pass-catching traits. That was on full display during a rookie campaign back in 2017 that saw Engram put up 722 receiving yards.

As for Zeitler, it’s well known that the 49ers could use an upgrade at right guard. It’s been a major issues thus far this season. A former Pro Bowl-caliber player with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Zeitler could slide in as the 49ers’ starting right guard. The one issue here is his $14.5 million cap hit for next season. San Francisco would have to restructure said deal in the form of a contract extension.

A trade of this ilk would likely require San Francisco offering up Dante Pettis, a mid-round pick and another later-round selection.

49ers Trade For New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas

It’s not happening. Let’s be clear about that. San Francisco does not have the cap room to add Thomas’ salary to the mix. It would also require a major haul of both draft picks and players to bring in the record-breaking pass catcher.

Now that we’ve covered the obvious, there’s a “what if” aspect to this. Recent reports, since denied by the Saints’ organization, indicate that they are potentially looking to trade the embattled receiver.

Thomas, 27, was practically suspended for a game earlier this year after getting in a fight with a teammate. He’s also suited up in just one game to a high-ankle sprain. The backdrop here appears to be a growing rift between Thomas and his organization.

A former second-round pick out of Ohio State back in 2016, Thomas is coming off a 2019 campaign in which he broke the single-season reception mark (149) while tallying a league-best 1,725 yards. He’d be a perfect fit in the 49ers’ offense.

As mentioned above, the issue here would be both compensation and Thomas’ salary. He just recently inked a five-year, $96.25 million extension back in July of 2019. Thomas’ cap hits would prove to be troublesome for the 49ers.

2021: $18.8 million

2022: $21.8 million

2023: $22.45 million

2024: $21.7 million

First off, Jimmy Garoppolo would have to restructure his contract via an extension. Is that something the 49ers would be willing to do given there’s an open question about his long-term future in Northern California?

From there, re-signing impending free agents could be an issue. That includes left tackle Trent Williams and cornerback Richard Sherman.

There’s also this thing called compensation. New Orleans would want a ransom in return. Purely hypothetical, but the starting-off point would likely be two first-round picks or one first rounder and either Deebo Samuel or Fred Warner.

Regardless, this is a highly unlikely scenario. The better bet is that if San Francisco does make a trade ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline, it would be of the smaller variety.