The San Francisco 49ers are sitting on a surplus of wide receiver talent ahead of the 2024 season. However, the 49ers must be willing to part with some of that talent before the 2025 offseason. The 49ers only have so much money to spend in the salary cap, and they have yet to extend Brandon Aiyuk.
The San Francisco 49ers could trade a WR this offseason
Alex Ballentine with Bleacher Report thinks the Kansas City Chiefs would be a potential option for the 49ers to send one of their star wide receivers. The 49ers recently extended Jauan Jennings this week. They also added Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the draft.
The 49ers must decide between going all-in for the 2024 season with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk (via an extension with Aiyuk) or getting something in return in a trade for one of them because it will be hard to pay both in the long term.
Deebo Samuel to the Kansas City Chiefs?
In a “shocking” trade idea, Ballentine thinks the 49ers could send their two-time Super Bowl rival, the Chiefs, Samuel:
“Samuel has provided diminishing returns over the last two seasons but still had over 1,100 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Some of Samuel’s success has been due to playing in a Kyle Shanahan system, but Reid is one of the best offensive minds in the game.
The Chiefs receiver situation is easily the scariest element of the offense. Rashee Rice emerged as the top option last season, but his status for the 2024 season could be in jeopardy based on his off-field actions this offseason.
The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown and that should help matters, but bringing in another legitimate weapon would push the offense over the top.
As an added bonus, the Niners would have to make their decision between Aiyuk and Samuel which would force them to rely more heavily on first-round pick Ricky Pearsall.”
Chiefs Receive
- Deebo Samuel
49ers Receive
- 2025 second-round pick
- 2025 third-round pick
Samuel would probably fetch a second-round pick from most teams. However, the Chiefs are expected to contend for a Super Bowl this season, so their pick would be closer to the third round. As a likely Super Bowl contender, the 49ers would want a premium from the Chiefs anyway.
The Chiefs must be prepared to give up draft capital for another wide receiver. They spent a first-round pick on Xavier Worthy, but it could take him time to adjust to the league. As Ballentine notes, Rice, the Chiefs’ leading receiver in 2023, might not be available for much or all of the season. Pairing Samuel with Brown could be a lethal combo in the playoffs.
