Trent Brown, who has been with the 49ers for three seasons, was selected by the team in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has played in 31 games with the 49ers and started all but three of those appearances.
The 49ers used this year's first-round pick to select Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey, who could be viewed as the eventual replacement for veteran tackle Joe Staley on the left side of the offensive line and competition for the right tackle job.
Or maybe not.
An unverified trade rumor surfaced on Thursday involving the 49ers, Brown, and another team.
Chance Dickman of KSBY-TV reported that the 49ers were working on a deal to send Brown to the Denver Broncos. Of course, the report stated that it would be in exchange for a second-round pick. If the 49ers were able to obtain a second-round pick in exchange for Brown, they would likely take it and count their blessings.
It seems unlikely the 49ers would be able to swindle Broncos general manager John Elway out of a second-round pick for Brown, but there may be some truth to the rumor.
Brown injured his shoulder during practice on Thanksgiving Day last year. While he came back and played against the Chicago Bears during Week 13, the injury did not go away. Brown missed the final four games of the season and landed on injured reserve.
More rumors supporting the potential for a trade surfaced following the selection of McGlinchey. Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst reported that the 49ers selected the Notre Dame tackle because Brown reported to the offseason program out of shape and the team has concerns about his recovery.
I'm told the reason the Niners took Mike McGlinchey with the 9th pick in the #NFLDraft is Trent Brown was terribly out of shape at mini camp and they have reservations about him off the shoulder surgery.
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 27, 2018
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Thursday night that Brown would be out until training camp, which will begin at the end of July. He did not indicate that the 49ers have or are working on plans to move the tackle. Of course, if they were, it is unlikely the team would discuss it.
"I have not spoken with [Brown]," Shanahan said. "And his status on this team is that he's on our team. I'm glad we have some competition, some very good competition. I'm glad we were able to sign [Garry Gilliam] too, to add some.
"And when Trent gets back here in training camp, I think it's going to be a heck of a battle, and I think it's going to be a good problem for the 49ers to have."
Given the rumors, general manager John Lynch was asked if the 49ers would be open to trading Brown, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
"You know, you never say never," he answered. "Right now, we're pleased to have great competition at that spot."
The second round of the draft kicks off tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. PT.
H/T to Patrick Tulini for the find.