3 Key 49ers Trade Deadline Moves
Let's just be honest our 49ers aren't looking the best. The offense is stumbling and our defense is playing okay. After loosing Navarro Bowman, we lost a veteran and a leader in the locker room. We got exposed in Thursday nights game for our fourth straight loss against our division rivals the Cardinals, and we need to find a way to turn it around. However all hope is not lost, if the front office can pull off some moves as the trade deadline approaches it might help to turn our team around or at least stop our skid.
The first move is to trade for Browns cornerback Joe Haden. I know, I know we have a good young secondary and some up and coming corders in Rishard Robinson and Jimmie Ward, but there are some key reasons to pursue this move. The first is the failure of starting corner Tramaine Brock. After amassing 5 picks in 2013 Brock looked to be an anchor in our secondary for years to come, but so far that hasn't panned out. This year he has been getting beat over the top, and simply hasn't been able to stop the opposing wideouts. Another key reason to pursue this trade is to allow Jimmie War to get healthy. Jimmie ward will be a key for our secondary as time wears on but if we force him onto the field before he is truly healthy it could hurt him and the team in the long run. Haden will allow the 49ers to rest Ward and allow him to completely heal. According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, many NFL GM's are looking into trading for the Browns starting corner Haden. Even if he is not on the trading block, the 49er front office has to make an inquiry on a trade for Haden. It might cost us one of our young corners and a high pick in next years draft, but it will be well worth it. Haden will provide consistency in our cornerback depth chart and leadership to our young corners, both of which are invaluable. Along with that Haden has a very team friendly contract, only counting for about $11 million in his base salary. Overall this move would make a lot of sense for the 49ers, as it will shore up our secondary and help to develop our young players.
The next move is to find a way to get rid of wide receiver Torrey Smith. In 2015 Smith grabbed 33 passes for 663 yards and 4 touchdowns, which does not match what we are paying him. He signed a 5 year $40 million contract he signed in free agency in 2014. In this season he has only caught 9 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown. These stats are abysmal for a number one wideout in the NFL. Anything we could get for him would be good, he has done absolutely nothing for our offense. Ideally we cold try to get a mid-round draft pick for him of even a young wide out but in reality the best we would get would be a late round draft pick. He is costing the 49ers way more money than what he is worth and should be traded away asap, and if that is not possible then release him.
The final move the 49ers should make is to trade for Green Bay Packers TE Jared Cook. Being the second option in the Packers TE group, Cook doesn't get very many touches. Cook could be great in the 49ers offense with his huge frame and good hands. Although our TE group is pretty good Cook could take it to a new level. He isn't the best TE but he has a tremendous upside and we could get him for very little. He could boost our slumping offense and provide a safety blanket for whoever our starting quarterback is. Overall he could be a great pick up for the 49ers and help to turn the rest of the season around.
