NFL Media writer Kevin Patra recently broke down every team's biggest need heading into Week 6. For the San Francisco 49ers, the answer was clear: they desperately need help rushing the passer. Since losing Nick Bosa to a season-ending torn ACL, the 49ers have struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks consistently.

With the NFL trade deadline on November 4 still weeks away, San Francisco may need to explore options to bolster its pass rush. Patra believes an edge rusher should be at the top of the 49ers' priority list.


"So far, so not good for the 49ers' pass rush sans the injured Nick Bosa," Patra wrote. "San Francisco pressured QBs on at least 30 percent of dropbacks through the first three weeks, but in the two full games without Bosa, they haven't reached even 21 percent."

John Lynch on 49ers' trade deadline approach


General manager John Lynch recently discussed the team's process when exploring trade options.

"I think, first, it's identifying people who might even be an option," Lynch told NBC Sports Bay Area. "And you never know what another team's thinking, so you have to do a lot of due diligence, you have to make a lot of calls. Some people will even get offended, like, 'No, we would never move him.'

"And so, I think that's something that probably the average fan—'Why don't you trade for this guy?' Well, the other team has to have a motivation to want to move him, and this is very early in the season, so everyone, even the teams who have started slow, they all believe in their heart of hearts, 'You know what, we're going to get back in this thing, and we're not there yet.'"

Any potential trade target must also fit Robert Saleh's defensive scheme. The 49ers must weigh not only the talent and cost of acquiring a player, but also whether the addition would be a long-term asset or simply a one-year rental.


Lynch emphasized that San Francisco values its draft capital. The team selected 11 players in this year's draft and eight players in last year's draft. However, he acknowledged the front office isn't afraid to trade picks if the right opportunity arises.

"We like drafting players, but we've shown a propensity, an ability to find good players in trade and acquire them," Lynch said.

However, he cautioned: "Again, with anyone on that trade market, you're not replacing Nick Bosa."

The road ahead


The 49ers remain atop the NFC West, but their ability to maintain that lead could hinge on addressing their pass-rush issues. Without a consistent threat off the edges, opposing quarterbacks may end up finding success against San Francisco's defense.

As Patra summed it up: "The injury-ravaged Niners have shown a ton of resilience thus far, but they'll have a difficult time staying atop the division without affecting the quarterback more effectively the rest of the way."

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