The San Francisco 49ers need help, especially on defense. No NFL team wants to lead the league in injuries, but the 49ers seemingly do so year after year. This season has been no different, as San Francisco continues to struggle with injuries, most notably, star defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, who were both lost for the season.
But the 49ers have remained competitive and believe they can still make the postseason. This week, the team added DL Clelin Ferrell, who is back for his second stint in San Francisco, and traded for DL Keion White, who was with the New England Patriots. Both players could make their debut on Sunday when the 49ers face the New York Giants.
And it sounds like GM John Lynch may not be finished making moves. Dianna Russini, in her latest "What I'm Hearing" column for The Athletic, named the 49ers among teams making calls. And she even mentioned some of the names the 49ers are reportedly calling about.
"Miami has received interest from the Eagles, 49ers, Patriots, and others on OLB Jaelan Phillips (The Dolphins are looking for at least a third-rounder in return)," Russini wrote. "They're also getting calls on DE Bradley Chubb and OLB Matthew Judon."
Russini didn't specify if the 49ers had called about Chubb and Judon, but it appears they are interested in Phillips, the fifth-year player out of the University of Miami. Phillips is one of the Dolphins' better players, and would help a 49ers' defense that is struggling to get to the quarterback. Phillips has three sacks and seven QB hits this season.
The 49ers have also been linked to Jets DL Jermaine Johnson. But according to Russini, New York is asking for a second-round pick or better. That makes Johnson less likely to be added to the 49ers. Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan have been adamant about not mortgaging the team's future just to help the 2025 team.
Johnson is signed through 2026, though, which would make him more enticing to the 49ers. Still, a second-round price tag may be too high for San Francisco.
Phillips is a free agent after this season, which also makes him less likely to be acquired by the 49ers. The third-round price might be too high, as well, but the fact that he would be a rental for the rest of this season would make him less appealing to Lynch and Shanahan. If they are going to give up that kind of draft capital, it likely won't be for a rental.
Russini also named a couple of other players the 49ers have called about. "Many teams, including the Rams, 49ers, Lions, Colts, and Eagles, have called the Bengals on numerous players, including LB Logan Wilson, CB Cam Taylor-Britt, and, of course, DE Trey Hendrickson," Russini added. "For now, some teams don't believe Cincinnati has any real interest in moving its core pieces."
It's unlikely the Bengals are willing to trade away those key defensive players, but the 49ers are making calls, as they always do. Whether or not they add another player remains to be seen. But we should find out soon. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday.