The San Francisco 49ers enter Week 7's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons with a perfect 6-0 record. Don't let that start fool you, though. Injuries have exposed needs at multiple positions, like wide receiver and the defensive line.

Those concerns have fueled trade speculation as the NFL trade deadline approaches. NFL analyst Brian Baldinger believes the 49ers are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and should look to strengthen their roster to keep their championship hopes alive.


"I feel like, if you're 6-0, and you got a three-game lead, and the trade deadline is on the horizon, you should load up," Baldinger said on Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game. "You should load up if you think it's an issue. And if it works out, it works out. If it's a rental, it's a rental.

"But you're in a position right now where you can see SoFi (Where Super Bowl LXI will be played) in the middle of February, and you can see your team being there. It's just going that well. And so, if you've got an opportunity to upgrade a position of need because of injuries, whatever, I think you have to take a hard look at it."

Baldinger also weighed in on which position the 49ers should prioritize at the trade deadline: wide receiver or the defensive line.

Although he expressed confidence in veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, whom he feels played well against the Washington Commanders on Monday night and has quickly developed a rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, Baldinger believes the receiving corps needs the most attention.

"I like the way the defensive line is playing. I do," Baldinger explained. "I think they've got depth right now. I think they've got a lot of young guys that are learning how to play and are making good plays out there. And I know Nick is going to come back. I feel pretty good about the defensive line.


"The receiver situation—we saw, as soon as Mike [Evans] went down the other day, the offense just went to sleep. There were other issues besides that. But I feel like receiver is a position where ... because of the injury and the injury history to some of these guys, that's the position I would look at."

With the 49ers off to a 6-0 start, the upcoming trade deadline offers a chance to address roster weaknesses for the final stretch of the season. Baldinger believes adding another receiver could help San Francisco maintain momentum and improve its chances of a Super Bowl run.



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