San Francisco 49ers agree a Brandon Aiyuk trade that makes perfect sense in ESPN analyst's mock draft
It's the question that has become one of the most pertinent of the offseason, will the San Francisco 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk? At every juncture to this point, the answer from John Lynch has been a firm no, and conventional wisdom says that will remain the case as we finally enter draft week. It would […]
It's the question that has become one of the most pertinent of the offseason, will the San Francisco 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk?
At every juncture to this point, the answer from John Lynch has been a firm no, and conventional wisdom says that will remain the case as we finally enter draft week.
It would likely take at least a first-round pick in the 2024 draft for the 49ers to part with their leading receiver from each of the last two seasons, who was named a second-team All-Pro in 2023.
Even then, a key reason why the 49ers likely wouldn't be inclined to do such a deal is that, unless they can get into the top 10, there isn't a wideout in a stacked class that could quickly replicate the impact of Aiyuk. As such, it makes more sense for the Niners to do what they have always said they intend to, and sign one of the NFL's premier receivers to a long-term deal.
The equation would change, however, if the 49ers could somehow get into the top 10, and that is the scenario ESPN's Bill Barnwell posits in his all-trades first-round mock.
Barnwell has the Los Angeles Chargers trading the fifth overall pick in the draft, along with a sixth-rounder (181st overall), in exchange for Aiyuk, the 49ers' first-round pick (31st overall) and their third-rounder (94th overall).
By moving up to the fifth pick, the 49ers would be in position to take a player who in the eyes of some is the top receiver in the entire draft, LSU's Malik Nabers.
Coming off a final season in which he racked up 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns, Nabers compares favorably to Aiyuk and would be a perfect fit for the Kyle Shanahan offense.
He possesses tremendous change of direction and stop-start quickness that he consistently implements into his route-running, tracks the ball superbly and showcases outstanding body control to make adjustments to inaccurate throws.
After the catch, Nabers is elusive and has devastating top-end speed to hit home runs from anywhere on the field, while he also showcases the determination and contact balance to stay on his feet through contact when required.
In short, Nabers would be a ready-made Aiyuk replacement with the athletic gifts to be an even more explosive playmaker.
The price paid to get him is worthy of question, as the Niners would be giving up two top-100 picks and an All-Pro player just to get the chance to land one who is unproven at the highest level.
Yet by selecting Nabers, the 49ers would be getting a prospect most expect to blossom into a star at the next level on a rookie contract for five years compared to paying at Aiyuk a number close to $30 million a year. With Brock Purdy likely set to become one of the highest-paid players in the NFL next offseason, that kind of asset at receiver would be invaluable.
It's extremely unlikely that such a trade will come about but, should a team make a comparable proposal to the 49ers on draft night, the chance at having one of the draft's top playmakers on a rookie deal would surely test their resolve over Aiyuk.
