With this year's draft class viewed as thin at several premium positions, a contender like the San Francisco 49ers may be better served using their draft capital to acquire proven difference-makers rather than relying solely on rookies.
That's the case made by Garrett Podell of CBS Sports, who linked the 49ers to five potential trade targets—players he believes the team should actively explore. The list includes defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett, and wide receivers A.J. Brown and George Pickens. Among them, Podell identifies Garrett as the most impactful fit for San Francisco.
The reasoning is clear. The 49ers recorded an NFL-low 20 sacks last season, averaging just 1.18 per game—the fewest ever by a playoff team in league history. That lack of pass-rush production proved to be a significant weakness.
The defense also has two players—defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams—coming off ACL injuries that cut their 2025 seasons short.
Despite those challenges, the 49ers still finished 12-5, reached the postseason, and won a playoff game before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. However, with the NFC West expected to remain highly competitive, San Francisco must continue adding elite talent to keep pace with both the Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams.
"San Francisco has the eighth-most effective cap space in the league at $26.4 million, and they're already down the 2026 third-round pick after acquiring Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa this offseason," Podell wrote.
Podell proposes that the 49ers package their first-round pick (No. 27 overall) along with players in an effort to land Garrett. With several core contributors aging, there is a sense of urgency to maximize the team's championship window before it closes.
"The 49ers need to go for it with running back Christian McCaffrey turning 30 on June 7, wide receiver Mike Evans turning 33 on Aug. 21, and left tackle Trent Williams turning 38 on July 19," Podell added. "Garrett would solidify their defense in a way that would allow them to compete with Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams for NFC supremacy."
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