49ers snap counts in win over Cowboys reflect their potential targets at the trade deadline
The San Francisco 49ers' usage of their personnel in the Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys was partially influenced by injuries. But the Niners' snap counts from their primetime victory also said much about where San Francisco may focus its energies in the trade market now that it has the bye week to consider […]
The San Francisco 49ers' usage of their personnel in the Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys was partially influenced by injuries.
But the Niners' snap counts from their primetime victory also said much about where San Francisco may focus its energies in the trade market now that it has the bye week to consider its options.
The defensive line has long since stood as the area in clearest need of improvement, with both defensive tackle and defensive end problem spots for San Francisco.
Though defensive tackle Kevin Givens missed out with a groin injury, the 49ers had a solid rotation on the interior, with Evan Anderson and Kalia Davis each playing just under a quarter of the snaps behind starters Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott.
It is on the edge where there is a clear lack of depth. Nick Bosa played 60 of the 62 defensive snaps, with veteran Leonard Floyd playing 46. Sam Okuayinonu, who continues to shine playing off the edge and on the interior, played 29 snaps.
But Robert Beal Jr. featured on only five snaps, meaning the 49ers were, for all intents and purposes, just three deep in their rotation off the edge.
Though the 49ers are hopeful of eventually getting Yetur Gross-Matos back from a knee injury, that situation cannot afford to continue, and the wise move from San Francisco would be to acquire another defensive end who can take some more of the strain off Bosa and Floyd.
Some sort of move on the defensive line seems inevitable, but it's less clear if the 49ers will respond to the season-ending injury Brandon Aiyuk suffered in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a trade for a wide receiver.
Deebo Samuel, recovered from a bout of pneumonia earlier in the week, left during the fourth quarter and did not return because of a rib issue. That injury and Jauan Jennings' continued absence with a hip problem influenced the snap counts at wideout as veteran Chris Conley (52) played the most snaps.
First-round pick Ricky Pearsall played 40, with Ronnie Bell getting 15 and fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing (12).
Cowing did not receive a single target and his lack of involvement was surprising given the big-play upside he demonstrated against the Chiefs.
It is odd that the 49ers still seemingly trust the likes of Conley and Bell over Cowing, tough his paucity of snaps may be in part related to run blocking, with the 49ers calling 31 designed runs while throwing the ball 26 times.
But if the 49ers don't yet have faith in Cowing to be a featured part of the passing attack, then it could suggest they may look to bolster their receiver room with another pass-catcher on whom they believe they can rely.
When all are healthy, Samuel, Jennings and Pearsall still form a strong top three, with the presence of George Kittle at tight end and the seemingly imminent return of Christian McCaffrey giving the 49ers' skill group a formidable look.
Still, the apparent unwillingness to get Cowing more involved suggests the Niners might believe they need to make a move at receiver to provide some additional dynamism that neither Conley nor Bell can offer.
49ers get Nick Bosa the present he’s needed for a very long time in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
It’s a no-brainer move.
