The San Francisco 49ers made the most impactful NFL trade at last year’s deadline, sending four draft picks to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for running back Christian McCaffrey. CMC averaged 110 yards and scored 10 touchdowns over 11 regular-season games, opening up San Francisco’s offense and creating innumerable offensive mismatches.
What will general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan do at the 2023 trade deadline? Here are three suggestions.
San Francisco 49ers Trade Deadline Moves
Go After a Panthers Edge Rusher (But Not Brian Burns)
The 49ers picked up pass rusher Randy Gregory from the Denver Broncos earlier this month, supplementing a defensive line that already included reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, 2022 second-rounder Drake Jackson, and ex-Las Vegas Raider Clelin Ferrell on the edge.
Let’s find one more edge rusher for Steve Wilks’ defense. Wilks spent the 2022 campaign with the Carolina Panthers, so it makes sense for the 49ers to dip into their DC’s recent pass to make an addition.
MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
Brian Burns is the most popular Panthers defensive lineman on the trade market, but fellow edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos is a pending free agent and could also be available. A second-round choice in 2020, Gross-Matos was viewed as an athletic specimen that needed molding coming out of Penn State.
While he may not have developed in Carolina, Gross-Matos could leap the 49ers’ Kris Kocurek, considered the NFL’s best defensive line coach.
San Francisco took a shot on another toolsy pass rusher in 2021, sending a sixth-round pick to the Houston Texans for Charles Omenihu, who eventually turned into a significant contributor. Could Gross-Matos become Kocurek’s next star pupil?
Acquire CB Sean Murphy-Bunting From the Titans
Charvarius Ward always gets overlooked due to the prevalence of other stars on the 49ers’ defense, but he’s been outstanding since signing with San Francisco in 2022. Meanwhile, fellow CB Deommodore Lenoir has blossomed since taking over as a starter in his second NFL campaign.
But the Niners could use more depth behind those top two options. Isaiah Oliver has struggled at times in the slot. San Francisco used Ambry Thomas as a starter during his 2021 rookie season but lost faith by 2022. And Anthony Brown wasn’t at his best for the Cowboys last year.
MORE: NFC West Trade Candidates
The Tennessee Titans will almost surely be selling at the deadline, and the 49ers should give them a call about cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who’s played outside cornerback for the Titans this year after spending most of his time in the slot during his stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
San Francisco could let Murhpy-Bunting take over for Oliver as its nickel, or they could keep him on the bench as an overqualified insurance policy. He’d probably be a pure rental, but that might be acceptable for a 49ers team gunning for a Lombardi.
Look Around For Offensive Line Depth
Shanahan’s scheme typically helps to hide offensive line weaknesses. While Trent Williams remains one of the NFL’s best tackles, the 49ers are average everywhere else up front.
San Francisco probably doesn’t need to find an OL starter. But adding more depth should be on the docket.
The 49ers already have veteran Jon Feliciano around to spell their young interior. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if they also forge a reunion with the Titans’ Daniel Brunskill, who spent the first four seasons of his career with San Fran.
A versatile center/guard like the Chicago Bears’ Lucas Patrick could also make sense. If the 49ers want to hedge against a potential late-season swoon from unproven right tackle Colton McKivitz, they could also target a pending free agent OT such as the Green Bay Packers’ Yosh Nijman.
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