The NFL is unpredictable, and it's impossible to know what the San Francisco 49ers' biggest needs will be as they progress through the 2026 season. If wide receiver becomes an area of concern, one NFL writer has proposed a trade that could bolster the team's depth at the position.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox made seven bold trade predictions ahead of the season, including one that would send the 49ers a former second-round draft pick.
Knox has San Francisco sending a conditional 2027 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Knox notes that the 49ers made several moves during the offseason to revamp their receiving corps, adding veteran Mike Evans and reuniting with Deebo Samuel. San Francisco also used its top draft pick on De'Zhaun Stribling, who has emerged as a standout throughout training camp and the preseason.
However, the 49ers lost Ricky Pearsall, a projected starter, to season-ending surgery to repair lingering damage from last season's PCL injury.
"The Niners will rely heavily on veteran wideouts and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, and they could afford to add some extra depth to their receiver room," Knox wrote. "Buffalo Bills receiver Keon Coleman, meanwhile, could use a fresh start."
Adding another receiver would likely put the roster spots of Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, or Jacob Cowing in jeopardy, assuming all three remain healthy. None was considered a lock for the 53-man roster entering training camp.
Coleman has yet to develop into the offensive weapon the Bills envisioned when they selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Through his first two seasons, Coleman has recorded 67 receptions for 960 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 14.3 yards per catch.
"The 2024 33rd overall pick hasn't developed into a reliable go-to receiver in Buffalo," Knox noted. "He wasn't always even part of the game plan in 2025, though he does have a supporter in former offensive coordinator and current head coach Joe Brady."
Knox believes Coleman could benefit from a change of scenery and an opportunity to play in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
For the 49ers, a potential trade for Coleman would provide another young option in the receiving corps while giving the former second-round pick a chance to revitalize his career. However, whether San Francisco would actually consider such a move could depend on how its current receivers perform as the season unfolds.
More info on: Jacob Cowing, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins
Comments