A top NFL insider believes the San Francisco 49ers could be a sleeper team to add an “impact” player before the 2023 NFL trade deadline just like the Los Angeles Rams added Von Miller in 2021.
The San Francisco 49ers have been an absolutely dominant force to start the new season. Continuing where they left off in the 2022 regular season in being equally deadly on offense and defense. They currently are tied for the best record in the NFL at 5-0, have the second-highest-scoring offense in the league, and have given up the least points on average after the first five weeks of the season.
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However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have areas on the roster they can improve. The idea of the 49ers improving the roster before the Oct. 31 trade deadline is something ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano wrote about on Wednesday and suggested they could be a team to keep an eye on over the next couple of weeks.
“Don’t rule out the possibility of the 49ers, as tremendous as they already look, adding a player if they think it can make a difference,” Graziano wrote. “The Niners have the biggest of goals for this season, and they were aggressive last year when running back Christian McCaffrey became available. Remember the Rams adding Von Miller at the deadline a couple of years ago? If an opportunity for an impact guy like that comes along — at the right cost — don’t sleep on the idea of the rich getting richer in San Francisco.”
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The organization has some of the most salary cap space in the league right now and a bunch of draft capital. With that in mind, let’s take a look at four players the 49ers might target in a blockbuster deal before Oct. 31.
5 potential ‘impact’ trade targets for the San Francisco 49ers
Danielle Hunter
The Minnesota Vikings are obviously headed in the wrong direction after the first few weeks of the season, and with Justin Jefferson being placed on injured reserve, the chances of them being sellers at the trade deadline are very strong. One player that might be a fit for San Francisco is three-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter.
He would certainly boost their linebacker corps. while giving them another stud pass rusher to terrorize opposing QBs. If the Vikings wanted to clean house and move some cap space off the books before 2024, he definitely could be on the block in the coming weeks.
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Jaycee Horn
While pass rushing is key on defense in today’s game, having a strong secondary to cover the many talented receivers in the league is almost equally important. That is why Jaycee Horn could be a possible target for the 49ers once he comes off IR.
The talented Carolina Panthers corner is working his way into a big contract after 2024, and if the organization would rather invest their money elsewhere and strike while the iron is hot with a season left on his deal, now would be the time to get a strong return. With the Panthers spiraling toward another losing season, they could switch gears and quickly become sellers again as Oct. 31 draws near.
Pat Surtain II
Many people around the league expect the Denver Broncos to be one of the top sellers before the trade deadline. While Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton are going to get a lot of calls, if the 49ers wanted to go really big, they could check in with Denver about star defensive back Patrick Surtain II.
It is unlikely Denver moves him, but giving a king’s ransom to land him could make him the final piece to a championship puzzle like Deion Sanders was for the franchise in 1994.
Azeez Ojulari
Similar to Danielle Hunter, New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari might be a potential target for San Francisco. Injuries have made him an unreliable player for New York after a strong rookie season in 2021 so there is a chance the organization might want to move on from him.
The 23-year-old would be another pass rusher to add to the defense and is signed for another season at a very reasonable rate. Due to missing so much time in the last couple of seasons, his value may have diminished enough to where the 49ers might not have to give up many premium assets to land him.
Garret Bolles
Improving the offensive line to make life that much easier and more productive for Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy is always a good thing. The San Francisco 49ers could use some improvements on the line and that is why asking the Denver Broncos about tackle Garett Bolles might also occur.
The 2020 All-Pro has just one year left on his contract after this season and he might be up for grabs with Denver likely open to a complete fire sale at the deadline to land a horde of draft assets.