49ers' potential trade targets at edge rusher include chance to fix a forgotten draft mistake
All the noise suggests the San Francisco 49ers will look to add to their defensive line at the trade deadline. That is no surprise given the 49ers' distinct lack of depth up front, their options reduced by injuries to Javon Hargrave at defensive tackle and Yetur Gross-Matos at defensive end. I recently looked at potential […]
All the noise suggests the San Francisco 49ers will look to add to their defensive line at the trade deadline.
That is no surprise given the 49ers' distinct lack of depth up front, their options reduced by injuries to Javon Hargrave at defensive tackle and Yetur Gross-Matos at defensive end.
I recently looked at potential trade targets on the interior of the defensive line.
Now, let's turn our attention to possible edge rush acquisitions the 49ers could make before the November 5 deadline.
Harold Landry and Arden Key – Tennessee Titans
The 49ers were in dire need of an edge rusher in the 2018 draft but bypassed Landry, their first two picks spent on an offensive tackle (Mike McGlinchey, ninth overall) and a wide receiver (Dante Pettis, 44th overall), trading up to take the latter three spots after the former Boston College star went to Tennessee.
The fact the 49ers took Nick Bosa second overall a year later meant those decisions were quickly forgotten, but the fact is Landry has been a much more impactful player at the highest level than either of San Francisco's first two picks.
He bounced back from a 2022 lost to injury to record double-digit sacks for the second time in his career last season and already has four this season.
A bendy and explosive pass rusher, the biggest problem surrounding Landry is that his base salary of $17.25 million for this year is guaranteed, so the 49ers would be on the hook for the final nine weeks of it if they traded for him at the deadline.
Landry also has a base salary of $17.5 million in 2025 and 2026. Still, his production as consistent enough that the 49ers may view the headache of trying to restructure his deal one worth taking on.
A cheaper deal, both in terms of likely cost in terms of draft picks and cap considerations, would be one to reunite with Key, who was part of the 2021 49ers team that made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game.
Key's ability to play inside and out made him a valuable part of the rotation during that run, and the 49ers have proven unable to replace that skill set since Charles Omenihu left in free agency in 2023, with Gross-Matos' knee injury robbing them of a player they believe could excel in a similar fashion.
Key is due a $6.5 million base salary next year, with the rest of his $1.42 million salary for this year guaranteed, but that is unlikely to be a barrier if the 49ers feel they can strike a deal with former front office member and now GM of the Titans Ran Carthon.
Za'Darius Smith – Cleveland Browns
I listed several Browns players among the possible defensive tackle trade targets for the 49ers, and Smith also has reason to interest them.
He too has the ability to play on the inside as well as off the edge, already has four sacks this season and will likely be desperate to play for a contender again at this point in his career.
With no guaranteed money on his deal beyond this year, Smith could give the 49ers an experienced, versatile and affordable veteran with the ability to elevate the San Francisco D-Line and take the strain off players who are better off playing a smaller role in the rotation.
Deatrich Wise and Josh Uche – New England Patriots
Stop me if you've heard this about a potential 49ers defensive line trade target before, but Wise can play on the inside as well as off the edge. In addition, he is on an expiring contract and has had splash plays on a bad Patriots team this year with two sacks and three tackles for loss.
Yet of more appeal may well be Uche, whose tremendous get-off and 90th percentile arm length would make him an ideal fit as an outside pass rusher on Kris Kocurek's defensive line.
Uche would also be a rental as he is due to hit free agency next offseason but, still only 26, the 49ers might view him as a long-term investment whom they could potentially re-sign in 2025.
It has become apparent in recent reports in The Athletic that the 49ers are looking at some of the better pieces on the defensive side of the ball of a one-win Patriots roster, and both Wise and Uche figure to be players on their radar.
49ers set to hand veteran his debut for the team after making pair of roster moves for Cowboys game
He provides useful insurance.
