The San Francisco 49ers are 5-3 and in the running for first place in the NFC West despite some serious injury issues in during the first half of the season. They still have the talent to be competitive in a playoff run, but the production of some of their injured star players will be missed if they hope to capitalize on their championship window. On offense, a true WR1 could also help, so let’s look at who the 49ers could possibly trade for as the deadline looms.
49ers Should Make A Move To Bolster Defense Before Trade Deadline
There have been rumors of their interest in bolstering their roster ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Their pass rush has seen a serious dip in production since the team lost Nick Bosa for the year, and the absence of Fred Warner in the middle linebacker spot creates a massive void. Could San Francisco make deals to help both issues? Or perhaps acquire two players in one transaction?
Bleacher Report highlighted one potential deal in an article posted on Thursday. It featured a swap between the 49ers and the New York Jets, and would provide depth and production for San Francisco’s defense. In the mock trade, the 49ers would acquire defensive end Jermaine Johnson and linebacker Quincy Williams, and the Jets would send back two third round selections.
Could 49ers Trade for Jermaine Johnson or Quincy Williams?
It would be a win-now move for San Francisco. Johnson broke out in 2023 with 7.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl selection, but an Achilles tear the next season sidelined him for much of the year. In 2025, he’s logged 15 total tackles and 1 sack across 174 defensive snaps. His injury history might limit his market, yet he could still be worth a third-round pick to the right team.
Johnson has one year remaining on his contract after 2025, but acquiring Williams would likely be a rental for San Francisco. The linebacker’s deal only runs through the end of this season, at which point he is set for free agency. But he is a veteran who has plenty of experience and was a First Team All-Pro just two seasons ago, and he may be one of the main targets for the 49ers if they choose to make a deal ahead of the deadline.
Niners Noticeable Drop In Pass Rush Production Should Be Addressed
While we have only seen the 49ers play one game without Warner, the dip in production due to Bosa’s absence has been more than noticeable. The former Defensive Player of the Year notched a sack in each of the only two games that he played in 2025, which accounted for half of the team’s total in that short span.
Since then, they’ve had four games in which they sacked the quarterback one or fewer times, a streak that they broke with their two-sack performance last week against Atlanta.
Could the 49ers Target Chris Olave?
Chris Olave becomes a realistic conversation if the Saints keep sliding. At 1-7, they look closer to a reset than a push, and that puts every player with high trade value under review. Olave is not being shopped, but teams in that position listen on offers that accelerate a rebuild.
For the 49ers, he solves a real problem. They need a true outside separator who can win vertically and force coverage to widen. Olave does that without changing how the offense is called, and he is young enough to fit the roster long term. The price would be significant, likely a first-round pick, but if New Orleans enters a teardown, this is the level of player they would consider moving.
