There is a somewhat of a decent chance that the San Francico 49ers will trade star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk at some point ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Fresh off a brilliant two-year run, he wants to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. It makes sense. Aiyuk, 26, has posted 153 receptions for 2,357 yards over the past two seasons.
Unfortunately, San Francisco just might not be in the financial situation to extend Aiyuk. With the former first-round pick seemingly on the NFL trade block, let’s rank his eight most-likely destinations.
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8. Washington Commanders
We can assume that Washington is going quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Whether it’s Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy under center, the team needs to find another receiver to go with Terry McLaurin. This makes sense for a number of reasons. First off, new Commanders general manager Adam Peters worked under 49ers GM John Lynch. That relationship could play a big role in trade talks. The Commanders could also offer up former first-round pick Jahan Dotson as well as their second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft (36th overall) to make this worth the 49ers’ while.
7. New York Giants
Brandon Aiyuk would be an absolute game-changer for the Giants’ offense. It would be comparable to when Stefon Diggs joined then-Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll in Buffalo ahead of the 2020 season. Whether it’s Daniel Jones or a young quarterback under center moving forward, getting that true No. 1 receiver must be in the cards. In this scenario, New York sends its first-round pick (sixth overall) to the 49ers for Aiyuk and the 31st pick. Per various NFL trade charts, this is the equivalent of the 16th overall selection. That’s the going rate for Aiyuk right now.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
The 49ers and Raiders would certainly make strange bedfellows. Vegas is also seriously considering trading up from the 13th pick to find a quarterback of the future. With Davante Adams doing his thing in Sin City, this might not seem to make a whole lot of sense. With that said, new Raiders general manager Tom Telesco could look to make a major splash and kick the quarterback situation down the road. In this, he trades away the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to team Aiyuk up with Adams. It would make for the best wide receiver tandem in the league.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers’ cap situation is by now well known. It’s why they were forced to move on from wide receiver Mike Williams. But that cap issue is pretty much limited to the 2024 season. Signing Brandon Aiyuk to a massive contract extension following an hypothetical trade wouldn’t be a big deal. Acquiring someone of his ilk for franchise quarterback Justin Herbert would be. This scenario sees Los Angeles deal away 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston, its second-round pick in 2024 (69th overall) and a third-rounder in 2025 to get Herbert his guy.
4. New England Patriots
New England is going quarterback with the third pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Trading Mac Jones pretty much guaranteed that. Unfortunately, the Pats really just don’t have a No. 1 receiver to help a young quarterback. In fact, Demario Douglas is their leading returning receiver from a year ago with 49 catches. Boasting the future cap room and draft picks needed to make a move of this ilk, Aiyuk makes a ton of sense. New England could offer up its second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (34th overall) and third rounder (68th overall) to make this work.
3. New York Jets
The Jets are obviously going all in with Aaron Rodgers this coming season. Adding two new offensive tackles in that of Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses makes this clear. The signing of wide receiver Mike Williams to team up with Garrett Wilson does, too. Why not go all in? We mean completely all in. The idea here would be for New York to turn its first-round pick (10th) overall into Brandon Aiyuk. New York would also acquire San Francisco’s third-round selection to give GM Joe Douglas opportunities to create the necessary depth.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
A recent report indicated that San Francisco had demanded the Jaguars’ first-round pick (17th overall) and wide receiver Zay Jones for Aiyuk. For some reason, Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke turned it down. We’re not too sure why. If the Jags want Trevor Lawrence to turn into a legitimate franchise quarterback, they need to get him more weapons. Replacing Calvin Ridley with Gabe Davis does not do that. It’s a fair ask from San Francisco. Baalke and Co. should engage again ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Aiyuk made waves recently by legitimately mentioning Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on social media. This was followed by a report that Pittsburgh is interested in acquiring the star receiver from San Francisco. It makes perfect sense. Russell Wilson is now QB1 with the Steelers. They traded away malcontent wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers earlier in the offseason. There is a need here. The Steelers could offer up their first-round pick (20th overall) and a third-round selection (84th overall) to make this worth the 49ers’ while.
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