SANTA CLARA – It’s the 49ers’ bye week. And it’s their buy week.
With the NFL’s trade deadline looming next Tuesday, the 49ers (4-4) must evaluate whether to swing a deal, as has been their prerogative in recent seasons’ playoff pushes.
Reinforcements could come off their injury lists, such as running back Christian McCaffrey, and perhaps a veteran or two is added via trade before the 49ers’ next game, Nov. 10 in Tampa Bay.
“If there’s anything out there that’s available that we think can help our team get better in the immediate, without hurting us for the future, that’s something we always look into,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday.
Sunday night’s harrowing 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys evened the 49ers’ record to match those of the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks atop the NFC West.
McCaffrey arrived two years ago from Carolina in a steal of a deal. Last year, the 49ers scoured the market to bring in defensive ends Chase Young and Randy Gregory. In 2019, their Super Bowl drive was enhanced by the addition of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
So, offense or defense, where do the 49ers need the help most – and, yes, special teams should not be overlooked amid this season’s miscues?
The positions of greatest need may not have the best supply on the market, but this is how they’re hereby ranked:
1. DEFENSIVE END
Sure, the 49ers could always use a pass-rushing demon who can rotate in with Leonard Floyd and/or relieve Nick Bosa, who’s playing a career-high 86 percent of the defensive snaps.
Floyd has three sacks and nine quarterback hits while starting every game opposite Bosa. Sam Okuayinonu has three sacks, too, as a pleasant surprise. Robert Beal has no sacks and no hits on a quarterback in 64 snaps.
The Kansas City Chiefs got a jump on this market by trading Monday for Joshua Uche from the New England Patriots, for a 2026 sixth-round pick, ESPN reported.
Seeing how the 49ers appeased Bosa last season by acquiring Young, perhaps they attempt the same this time with Sam Hubbard, another Ohio State product who’s signed through 2025 with the fading Cincinnati Bengals. Another name to watch: Emmanuel Ogbah (Dolphins).
2. DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Javon Hargrave’s Week 3 loss to a torn triceps exposed the 49ers’ depth issues on the interior, and opponents have run well, with the obvious exception of Dallas’ 32nd-ranked rushing attack Sunday. Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott, a pair of free agent acquisitions, are a serviceable duo, but beyond that are issues.
Kevin Givens (groin) missed last game, and the 49ers’ other options have been Kalia Davis, undrafted rookie Evan Anderson and practice-squad veteran T.Y. McGill.
Just don’t go expecting a reunion with DeForest Buckner, whose extension in April with the Colts would cost them a salary cap hit over $37 million, according to OverTheCap.com
3. WIDE RECEIVER
Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending knee injury created a WR1 void that the 49ers likely will try covering with a combination of emerging rookie Ricky Pearsall and the hip-hindered Jauan Jennings, the latter of whom is expected back from a two-game hiatus. Chris Conley had no catches on 52 snaps Sunday while starting alongside Pearsall and Deebo Samuel.
Now, Conley has a hamstring injury that Shanahan classified as “week to week,” so that could enhance the 49ers’ pursuit of veteran depth, although Trent Taylor is available via the practice squad. There’s been speculation for months that Kendrick Bourne would make for a nice encore, and he’s been unproductive in four games for the Patriots since returning from an ACL.
4. LINEBACKER
Fred Warner said the bye will “tremendously” help him recover from a Week 4 ankle injury. He’d also benefit from a stronger supporting cast.
Dre Greenlaw’s comeback is drawing near from his Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. Shanahan said the 49ers will be “week to week” after the bye in deciding when Greenlaw can debut at practice. Thus, he is still a ways away.
De’Vondre Campbell playing his best game of the season Sunday, but he’s allowing an 82-percent completion rate in coverage (22-of-27). Dee Winters is in the concussion protocol, Tatum Bethune has eight snaps to his name, and long-time reserve Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles has 10 tackles in 89 snaps.
If the market is scarce for a quality linebacker addition, perhaps the 49ers hunt for another safety and deploy three in their base run defense, with in-house options being Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown and, if he returns from wrist surgery, Talanoa Hufanga.
5. RUNNING BACK
Much could turn this week based on how McCaffrey’s comeback progresses in simulated practices. “Of course, the hope is that everything just goes back to normal and it’s perfect, that’s what we’re all striving for,” Shanahan said. “But you’ve got to play that out smartly and you’ve got to evaluate that each day.”
It doesn’t sound smart to assure McCaffrey of the same workload as last season (21 touches per game) as he works back into game shape.
Jordan Mason’s Oct. 10 left-shoulder sprain forced him out of Sunday’s first half, and as promising as Isaac Guerendo looked in his most extensive action, the 49ers lack depth.
Perhaps the 49ers can dial up Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and have him send back either Jeff Wilson or Raheem Mostert. Both have had health issues, but Wilson has been a healthy scratch the past three games, and Mostert is averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry.
What about the guys blocking for those rushers and Brock Purdy? Look, left tackle Trent Williams is the only irreplaceable lineman, but the 49ers’ continuity stands to benefit from starting the same unit every game this season. Otherwise, keep an eye on Jaguars guard Brandon Scherff, Williams’ former linemate in Washington.