© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The trade deadline is less than three weeks away and the 49ers’ roster, is well, spread thin. The defensive line and cornerback groups have been shredded to their bare bones, and the offense is still recoiling from injuries itself.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed two 49ers trades, among 11 others, which would help sort those issues.
Trade No. 1:
Cleveland Browns get: S Tarvarius Moore
San Francisco 49ers get: TE David Njoku
Barnwell rationalized this trade with the Browns desperate for safety help and the 49ers in need of another receiving tight end and with Njoku set to hit free agency. Ross Dwelley has been a massive liability as a blocker, and his receiving chops are nothing to write home about. George Kittle, who is still returning from a knee sprain and bone bruise, has been getting double teamed increasingly. This would sort that issue out with Jordan Reed out for the foreseeable future.
Trade No. 2:
San Francisco 49ers get: EDGE Ryan Kerrigan
Washington Football Team gets:WR Dante Pettis, 2021 fifth-round pick
Getting anything for Dante Pettis is a win, though the 49ers also have to attach an upcoming fifth-round pick to get the deal done. It returns a veteran EDGE in Ryan Kerrigan who Kyle Shanahan is familiar with, though he’s played mainly as a 3-4 pass rusher in his career. Dee Ford did the same before coming to San Francisco. In order to make the deal work, the team would have to clear space, with possible extensions coming from Richard Sherman, Kyle Juszczyk or Jimmy Garoppolo (yikes). Barnwell suggests that Pettis could “emerge as a slot option” for Washington.