The San Francisco 49ers, general manager John Lynch, and head coach Kyle Shanahan are dealing with a crisis on offense.
With running back Christian McCaffrey sidelined and now wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk potentially lost for the season after suffering what the franchise fears is a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Lynch may need to quickly make a bold move to add a playmaker ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline.
While rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall made his debut Sunday, returning from a gunshot wound to catch three passes for 21 yards while offering a glimpse of the speed and after the catch ability he has the potential to add to the offense.
Still, given Lynch’s propensity for making blockbuster deals ahead of the trade deadline and the limited window of this season being the last before the 49ers must sign Brock Purdy to an extension that makes him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, San Francisco may look to add a dynamic receiver in the coming weeks.
Here’s a look at the three best wide receiver fits who could be available at the deadline:
San Francisco 49ers Top WR Trade Targets
Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers’ season scraped rock bottom [maybe], when they were blown out by the Washington Commanders, 40-7, despite Jayden Daniels being sidelined for three quarters of the game after injuring his ribs.
There is now little reason for general manager Dan Morgan and the Panthers to hold any tradeable assets, including Johnson, who is one of the more experienced receivers rumored to be available as the deadline approaches.
Johnson has caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns so far this season and might be able to be acquired for pennies on the dollar given the Panthers may be primed to hold a fire-sale.
Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
While the Jaguars handled their business against the New England Patriots Sunday morning in London, Jacksonville is still buried in the AFC South at 2-5 which could make them amenable to shipping off Kirk as Brian Thomas Jr. continues to emerge.
So far this season, Kirk is averaging 12.3 yards per catch, including 3.7 yards after the catch per reception, which might make him a prototypical ‘Kyle Shanahan’ receiver in the 49ers’ offense.
DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
After falling to the Buffalo Bills, and with quarterback Will Levis sidelined with a shoulder injury, the writing is pretty clearly on the wall that the Titans are going to be sellers at the deadline.
And, while DeAndre Hopkins might not be the prototypical scheme fit for what the 49ers ask their wide receivers to do, he could fill a significant need as a reliable pass-catcher for Purdy and potential red zone weapon.
So far this season, San Francisco ranks 27th in red-zone touchdown efficiency, so adding a big-bodied 6-foot-1 and 212-pound receiver into Purdy’s repertoire could pay major dividends.
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