The 49ers completed two deals last season in the first NFL trade-deadline experience of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch together.
The 49ers found an answer to their quarterback-of-the-future question. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick surprised the 49ers with a phone call to offer Jimmy Garoppolo for a second-round draft pick. The 49ers liked what they saw late in the season and signed Garoppolo to a lucrative five-year contract extension.
The 49ers also swung a favorable deal to unload cornerback Rashard Robinson on the New York Jets for a fifth-round pick.
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SIGN UP HERE Currently, the 49ers are 1-7, and on a six-game tailspin, so the organization's focus is strengthening the roster for 2019 and beyond. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT, and could present the 49ers with some options.
“There’s motivation to improve our team whatever way possible,” Shanahan said Monday. “So whether that’s getting extra draft picks or whether that’s adding someone who we think can help us, either way.
“But you’ve got to have suitors and there’s got to be options. We’re looking into all of those ,and hopefully some good ones will come up that we think can help us.”
With that in mind, let's examine some players who might be trade targets or trade bait for the 49ers.
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Trade targets?
RB Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
This wouldn't make sense on many different levels. After all, the Shanahan history is to find unheralded, inexpensive running backs who fit his zone-blocking scheme.
Bell isn't signed for next season, so that’s a problem. He doesn't want to play this season for $14.5 million, so good luck signing him to a reasonable contract.
The 49ers have run the ball well this season, so it’s not a dire need. They went out last offseason and found a running back Shanahan thought was perfect for his scheme. However, Jerick McKinnon was lost for the season due to a knee injury one week before the regular season began.
CB Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
He said last week that he doesn't want out of Arizona. Even if he did, do you really think he would want to go to a worse team?
Peterson, 28, is signed through the 2020 season with contracts set to pay him $11 million next year and $12 million in 2021. The Cardinals plan to keep him around a while.
CB Gareon Conley, Oakland Raiders
He hasn't done much after being selected as the No. 24 overall pick in the 2017 draft. He is under contract for two more seasons at reasonable price tags of $1.4 million and $1.8 million.
Second-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon got off to a rocky start for the 49ers and was benched, but he seems to be playing better in recent weeks.
DE Bruce Irvin, Oakland Raiders
The 49ers need a pass rusher. And Jon Gruden is open to dumping anyone who pre-dated him as part of the Raiders' organization.
Irvin and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh worked together in Seattle, and the pass rusher is good for six to eight sacks per season. He is under contract through the 2019 season at $9 million.
WR Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
He seems to believe there’s a 50-50 shot he'll be traded. It's unlikely the 49ers can justify acquiring Thomas, who's under contract for only one more season at $14 million, for the kind of draft pick it would take to make the deal.
WR Mohamed Sanu, Atlanta Falcons
He has history with Shanahan from their time together in Atlanta. He is 29 and under contract through 2020 with scheduled salaries of $6 million and $6.5 million annually. But he isn't a No. 1 receiver, and that’s what the 49ers need more than anything.
Trade bait?
WR Pierre Garçon
It appears the 49ers are trying to drum up interest in Garçon, and who can blame them? Garçon doesn't appear to be the same player he was a year ago, when he had 500 receiving yards in eight games. The 49ers also might want to find more experience for Kendrick Bourne, who still makes too many mental mistakes.
The 49ers have spoken to Garçon about the possibility of a trade, and Shanahan said multiple teams have experienced interest. But Garçon is 32, and he isn't exactly a bargain, either. Any team that acquires him would be on the hook for more than half of his $6.625 salary this season, while also picking up next year’s $6 million pay.
DB Jimmie Ward
His name popped up over the weekend, as Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Ward has come up in trade discussions. The 49ers’ secondary is being pieced together with all the injuries, so if Ward can remain healthy, he might not come off the field for the remainder of the season.
It's difficult to see how Ward would be attractive to other teams. First, there’s the history injury, but also he isn't under contract beyond this season. Therefore, he would be a high-priced rental for half a season.
Guard Joshua Garnett
He was a 2016 first-round draft pick by the previous regime. Mike Person has played well at right guard, and there does not appear to be any consideration given to having Garnett compete for a starting job. Second-year pro Erik Magnuson has more versatility, making him more valuable.
When everyone has been healthy, Garnett has been inactive. So, if a team is in need of a guard, Garnett could be someone the 49ers would be willing to deal.
CB Richard Sherman
It’s not happening, folks. The 49ers signed Sherman for what he brings to the team off the field, as well as what he does on the field.
Sherman is signed through the 2020 season, and he is a player whose presence makes the team better. The young players who share a locker room with him will be better in the future for the experience of being around one of the better cornerbacks and leaders of his generation. Said Shanahan: “That’s definitely a guy we want part of our team next year.”