NFL.com writer Kevin Patra recently identified potential trade fits for 11 players who could be on the move before the NFL trade deadline. Among those names is one that continues to generate buzz around the league—Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, even as the Bengals insist they have no plans to trade him.
"The Niners' pass rush has been decimated by injury," Patra wrote. "San Francisco is tied for the second-fewest sacks in the league this season (9). Despite playing in just two and a half games, Nick Bosa still is tied for third on the team with 10 QB pressures. Bryce Huff has been good, but he's banged up. Ditto for Yetur Gross-Matos."
Hendrickson, now in his ninth NFL season, has recorded four sacks through seven games. He's coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons, establishing himself as one of the league's most productive pass rushers. Of course, all of that is moot if Cincinnati refuses to entertain trade offers.
The 49ers, currently sitting at 5-3, are fighting to regain momentum after a 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans. That defeat dropped them out of first place in the NFC West, and if the season ended today, San Francisco would hold the final playoff spot in the NFC.
The question now is whether general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will feel pressure to make a bold move to strengthen the roster before the deadline.
"Hanging onto the final playoff spot in the NFC, the 49ers can't sit around and let the deadline pass without making another deal," Patra wrote. "Losing Trevis Gipson (played 39 snaps in Week 8) off the practice squad might have been the impetus for the Keion White trade. That was an amuse-bouche, though. The Niners need a big honking steak.
"Acquiring Hendrickson would be that meaty move. With an expiring contract, he wouldn't blow up the Niners' offseason work of getting their salary-cap situation under long-term control. The hip injury is a concern, but attempting to pry away Hendrickson from Cincy for the stretch run is a swing worth taking."
Another 49ers trade option
If Hendrickson proves unattainable, Patra named another potential target for San Francisco—New York Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II. The former first-round pick is someone 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh knows well from their shared time in New York.
Johnson missed most of the 2024 season with a torn Achilles but has returned to appear in five games this year, tallying 19 tackles (one for loss), one sack, two quarterback hits, and a pass defensed. Over his four NFL seasons, he has 11 career sacks, with his best campaign coming in 2023, when he recorded 7.5.
The 49ers likely still have their eyes on strengthening a depleted pass rush as they aim to stay competitive in the NFC playoff race.