The San Francisco 49ers had one of the best pass defenses in the NFL under former coordinator Steve Wilks.
San Francisco allowed the fourth-lowest passer rating (79.6) in the league and was tied for the fifth-fewest passing touchdowns allowed (20). Could the 49ers boost their defense to unforeseen heights with the addition of another high-level draft pick in Round 1?
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49ers Have Potential To Add Talented DB in Latest Mock
Pro Football Network’s Tony Catalina believes that the 49ers could afford to make their defensive talent pool even deeper. Yet, it all starts at cornerback.
“Smooth, productive, and high-level athlete are all accurate ways to describe former Bama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry,” Catalina wrote. “The 49ers add a productive CB to their secondary and more young talent to a team already loaded with it. This is a great fit for the young cornerback.”
McKinstry is coming off a season where he had 32 tackles (24 solo) and seven pass deflections. He has 23 total pass breakups in his collegiate career, along with two interceptions. His addition could add even more strength to an already brawny unit.
KEEP READING: Tony Catalina’s NFL Mock Draft
San Francisco Could Trade Up To Add a CB
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell feels that the 49ers should trade up from pick 31 in this month’s NFL Draft. Like Catalina, he believes that San Francisco could continue to add to the cornerback position to compete at the highest level against top passing offenses.
“The 49ers have lost a few players this offseason, but this is still one of the deeper rosters in football,” Barnwell wrote. “GM John Lynch also has two extra fourth-rounders and an extra sixth-rounder to play around with if he wants to make a small move up the board.
“After what went down in the Super Bowl, trying to jump ahead of the pack for a cornerback could make sense, although that’s not a position this regime has typically valued at a high level in the draft.”
GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
How Possible Is a Brandon Aiyuk Trade?
Brandon Aiyuk has seemingly been in trade talks since the Super Bowl ended. The 2020 first-round pick from Arizona State has been productive throughout his four NFL seasons, catching 269 passes for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac wouldn’t be shocked if he was an addition to the Steelers’ receiving corps. Aiyuk, who comically bears a striking resemblance to head coach Mike Tomlin, could be on his way east if Pittsburgh strikes.
“I would never say never. But I think the major moves are done, though I still won’t rule out a trade of some significance,” Dulac wrote.
Aiyuk had his best season to date in 2023 with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 17.9 yards per reception. San Francisco picked up Aiyuk’s fifth-year option, as he’ll make over $14 million in 2024. The 26-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
CONTINUE READING: Should the 49ers Trade Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk?
