The San Francisco 49ers have welcomed back two familiar faces this season by acquiring Deebo Samuel and DeForest Buckner, aiming to strengthen a team determined to compete for another Super Bowl. They nearly added a third familiar player before the trade deadline, but a proposed deal for Minnesota Vikings receiver Jauan Jennings fell through when he declined the opportunity to return to San Francisco.
Despite this setback, the failed negotiations have not affected the 49ers' position as one of the strongest contenders in the NFC. With a record of 6-1 and Buckner joining an injury-plagued defensive front, general manager John Lynch has shown a willingness to improve the roster before the November 10 deadline. San Francisco's aggressive approach also raises questions about which players might be available for trade. The organization has considerable depth in certain positions, while several veterans have struggled to find meaningful roles during the first seven games of the season.
Moving established contributors would require careful consideration for a team with championship aspirations, but there are three players whose circumstances might make them viable candidates for trade discussions.
3. Brandin Cooks
Brandin Cooks joined the San Francisco 49ers due to the team's urgent need for healthy wide receivers. However, the idea of trading him just weeks later seems unconventional.
Cooks initially signed with the practice squad in September and was promoted to the active roster on October 1. At that time, head coach Kyle Shanahan was facing significant injuries that disrupted the receiving lineup, forcing the coaching staff to try various personnel combinations. He provided the 49ers with something they urgently needed: a receiver who had extensive NFL experience and could quickly grasp offensive assignments without a lengthy adjustment period. His career includes six seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards and successful stints with several teams. Even at 33 years old, his experience makes him valuable as an emergency contributor capable of handling the demands of the professional level.
However, Cooks' actual production with the 49ers has been limited. In four games, he has caught three passes for 33 yards and one touchdown, participating in about a quarter of the team’s offensive snaps. This reflects a relatively modest role despite the team’s receiving challenges.
These statistics raise questions about whether Cooks offers more value to the 49ers than he would to another team experiencing injuries. Throughout his career, he has frequently changed teams, showcasing his ability to adapt to new quarterbacks and offensive systems. A franchise in search of experienced depth might consider acquiring him if injuries have left its receiving corps reliant on inexperienced players.
The 49ers' ongoing injury situation strengthens the argument against trading him. With Mike Evans dealing with injuries and other receivers still working toward full recovery, Shanahan cannot afford to weaken his offense just because Cooks hasn’t produced substantial numbers in his limited opportunities.
Moreover, Cooks is becoming more familiar with the system each week, which could enhance his usefulness in the second half of the season.
2. Malik Mustapha
Malik Mustapha's situation is intriguing, as his reduced role is not due to a lack of starting experience in the NFL. The 49ers selected Mustapha in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, and he quickly showcased the physicality and instincts needed to compete in their defensive backfield. He started 22 games in his first two seasons and earned a reputation as an aggressive safety known for delivering significant hits while also contributing against the run. This experience seemed to set him up for a substantial role in 2026, but a hamstring injury disrupted his training camp preparations.
Marques Sigle took advantage of the additional opportunities and eventually secured a starting safety position. As a result, Mustapha found himself returning to a defensive rotation where the coaching staff had already established confidence in other combinations. Kyle Shanahan addressed the situation earlier this season, noting that Mustapha's injury had hindered his ability to compete on equal footing during camp. While the organization values Mustapha’s talents, their confidence in the current safety rotation raises complicated questions about how many starting-caliber defenders they can effectively accommodate.
Mustapha's experience could make him an attractive trade target for a team looking to improve its secondary immediately. At 24 years old, he has considerable developmental potential, and his rookie contract runs through the 2027 season. Any team acquiring him would receive a player with starting experience and more than a year of cost-effective contractual control.
These circumstances differentiate him from veterans approaching free agency, whose value is typically limited to the remainder of the season. A fourth- or fifth-round draft pick could serve as a starting point for negotiations, depending on how another team assesses his past performances. The argument for a trade becomes more compelling if San Francisco believes its current starters will stay healthy and another team proposes compensation that reflects Mustapha’s potential.
John Lynch has previously shown a willingness to trade draft capital for immediate enhancements, and acquiring an additional selection could allow for another acquisition.
1. Ji'Ayir Brown
Ji'Ayir Brown stands out as a compelling trade candidate due to his contractual situation, which could compel San Francisco to make a significant decision sooner than anticipated. Since entering the NFL in 2023 as a third-round selection, he has gained substantial starting experience and has become a regular contributor in a secondary that has undergone considerable personnel changes.
Article Continues BelowBrown has demonstrated his ability to handle different coverage assignments, and his familiarity with San Francisco's defensive system has allowed him to maintain a significant role. Unlike Mustapha, Brown has consistently remained part of the starting safety pairing this season. This makes him a more difficult player to trade, especially as the 49ers aim to strengthen their defense rather than part ways with established contributors.
If the coaching staff believes those younger players can step into starting roles, trading Brown could yield compensation that might not be available when his rookie contract expires. His experience would appeal to teams looking for a safety who can contribute immediately, especially those struggling with coverage communication or inconsistent tackling.
Moreover, Brown’s remaining contract would make him a manageable acquisition for the rest of the season, although any interested team would need to consider whether they plan to retain him beyond 2026. Ultimately, the front office's assessment of Brown's long-term future will determine the decision. Moving a current starter while pushing for a championship could necessitate quick adjustments for the coaching staff, especially as they are already integrating Buckner and managing other injuries.
Brown is a top trade candidate because his impending free agency presents an identifiable decision for the organization, while the presence of alternative starting options makes a trade feasible without necessitating extensive defensive restructuring.
What Buckner's arrival means for San Francisco's deadline approach
Acquiring Buckner has addressed a significant weakness for the team, but this transaction also highlights how carefully the 49ers are assessing their championship window.
San Francisco should continue to explore offensive reinforcements, especially after the unsuccessful negotiations with Jennings, particularly as injuries complicate the receiving rotation. Outgoing trades could help recover draft capital or provide additional flexibility; however, it's crucial to preserve reliable depth, and they already made one significant addition. Their next decision may involve determining which current contributors are worth retaining for the postseason, and which players could facilitate another move before the November 10 deadline.