ClutchPoints
The San Francisco 49ers are undergoing a turbulent preseason, with injuries to numerous wide receivers. As the 49ers trade rumors continue, many see them getting another receiver before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Yet, there is another position that badly needs upgrading.
The 49ers traded for Skyy Moore to help with their depleted receiver room. Currently, Ricky Pearsall is the only healthy starting receiver. Brandon Aiyuk might not return for the 49ers until Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season. Likewise, Jauan Jennings is dealing with an injury. The Niners will likely have both available at midseason. Therefore, the acquisition of Moore could suffice for now. There will be a point later in the season where their depth chart will have Aiyuk, Jennings, Pearsal, Demarcus Robinson, and Moore on the roster. What is a weakness right now will soon turn into a strength.
There is another position that deserves some love. Alarmingly, the offensive line still looks iffy, and could be the thing that derails the Niners. It’s time to talk about a potential trade that San Francisco could make before the season starts.
Even after their injuries, San Francisco still has +2000 odds to win the Super Bowl, according to FanDuel. Despite offensive line struggles, the Niners put all their chips (or almost all) on the defense. The Niners used their first five picks of the 2025 NFL Draft on defense. Then, they chose a wide receiver in Jordan Watkins. Connor Colby was the only offensive lineman they chose.
Nicholas Petit-Frere was the only offensive lineman they signed, and he struggled initially, registering a 46.5 PFF grade. Overall, the brass was confident in the offensive line. There were mixed reactions about the unit last season. Initially, PFF ranked them 24th but had them at 13th in total efficiency by the end of the season. Trent Williams was a major contributor to the positive rankings. Otherwise, the rest of the line was inconsistent.
49ers OL Domnick Puni suffered an injury this week, which is a big loss for San Francisco as they head into Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Meanwhile, Ben Bartch has an elbow injury. With both guards potentially sidelined, there is suddenly a lot of panic inside the Niners camp about who will be protecting Brock Purdy.
Nick Zakelj takes over for Puni right now. Yet, that might not be enough as the line continues to deal with injuries. Williams, Jake Brendel, and Colton McKivitz are currently the only healthy offensive linemen for the Niners. Thus, they might need to target one in a trade. Even before the injuries, this was a position of need that the organization ignored, and it’s coming back to bite them.
Cole Strange has not done as well in New England since the team drafted him. Therefore, he is a potential 49ers trade candidate as the...
