With injuries impacting the San Francisco 49ers’ receiving corps—especially following Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL tear—there’s speculation that the team may seek to strengthen its pass-catching options. However, general manager John Lynch remains confident in the current lineup and has not specifically committed to seeking a trade. “I wouldn’t say that specifically,” Lynch noted when asked about pursuing a receiver. “We evaluate every opportunity across positions, but finding available players who can truly make an impact is harder than it seems.” For now, Lynch seems focused on internal solutions rather than a trade.
At full health, the 49ers’ wide receiver lineup includes Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing, Ronnie Bell, and first-round rookie Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall, who has been on the field for two games since recovering from an offseason injury, has contributed seven catches for 59 yards so far. His development could ease the loss of Aiyuk. Although rumors have linked San Francisco to a potential reunion with Kendrick Bourne, the veteran receiver has expressed a desire to stay with the New England Patriots.
In Kansas City, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made his debut, logging two catches as the latest addition to the team’s offense. The Chiefs acquired Hopkins ahead of the November 5 trade deadline, hoping his experience will offset the absence of Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown for the season, as well as the current unavailability of Skyy Moore. Meanwhile, Kansas City may also be considering a defensive acquisition; with cornerback Jaylen Watson sidelined by a fractured ankle, there’s a chance the Chiefs will add depth at cornerback to bolster their defense for the rest of the season.
The Baltimore Ravens have also struggled defensively, especially in pass coverage, where they rank 26th in scoring defense and allow a league-high 291 passing yards per game. Given these challenges, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reports that the Ravens may look to acquire defensive reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline. While the team has been linked to pursuing an edge rusher, the recent decision to bench safety Marcus Williams could signal additional interest in shoring up the safety position. Baltimore has $4.36 million in cap space, providing flexibility for a targeted midseason trade if the right opportunity arises.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks kicked off the 2024 trade season by acquiring Roy Robertson-Harris from the Jacksonville Jaguars, securing an experienced addition to their defensive line. Injuries didn’t prompt this move; rather, Seattle aims to enhance its defensive rotation by adding a veteran presence to support younger players. Robertson-Harris has already contributed seven tackles in his two appearances with Seattle, giving the team depth and versatility as they navigate the second half of the season.