49ers connected to familiar face in trade idea to bolster receiving corps

A slow offseason has suddenly gotten busy for the San Francisco 49ers. Now Pro Football and Sports Network has another idea to help the 49ers improve a weakness on their roster.

The 49ers needed to add help at defensive end, so they sent a conditional fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for DE Bryce Huff. PFSN suggested another low-level trade that would bolster San Francisco’s depth at wide receiver − a position with sizable question marks across the roster.

After an offseason of passing on big-name additions, the 49ers turn to a familiar face in PFSN’s trade idea. They believe trading for New England Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne would give the 49ers the quality depth their roster lacks.

Via PFSN:

Bourne’s future with the Patriots is somewhat uncertain, especially since the new coaching staff has no attachment to him. Since posting 55 catches and 800 yards in 2021, he hasn’t surpassed 500 receiving yards in a season, and a torn ACL in October 2023 has impacted his availability the past two years.

With Bourne turning 30 in August and the Patriots already bringing in Diggs and Mack Hollins as veteran presences, his role in New England looks shaky.

Bourne is set to earn around $6.5 million this season and is under contract through 2026, though none of the remaining money is guaranteed. Teams reportedly showed interest around the trade deadline a season ago, but nothing ever materialized. Given his limited role and the lack of clarity around his fit within New England’s rebuild, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him moved.

This is the type of move that would help round out a roster that was too top heavy a season ago.

A fully healthy version of the 49ers would be in an okay place at receiver. Ricky Pearsall dealt with multiple injuries during camp last year and is now working through a hamstring injury he sustained in OTAs. Brandon Aiyuk’s status for the regular season is up in the air as he makes his way back from a torn ACL in Week 7 last year. Demarcus Robinson, a free agent signee, may be facing a three-game suspension. Second-year fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing struggled as a rookie, and rookie Jordan Watkins is still unproven.

There are a handful of other veterans on the roster, but adding Bourne would make a ton of sense for a group with so many question marks. The 29-year-old posted only 28 catches for 305 yards and one touchdown last season while returning from his torn ACL. However, in 2023 before his injury he was up to 37 catches, 406 yards and four touchdowns in only eight games.

San Francisco would love to have Bourne as an option who is familiar with their offense, and for Bourne it would give him an opportunity to regain his footing in his second season after a knee injury. A couple of strong years for the 49ers could earn Bourne another decent NFL contract.

Bourne spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the 49ers. He led 49ers receivers with 487 receiving yards in 2018, and posted 1,769 yards with 11 touchdowns on 137 receptions across 58 games in San Francisco.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL trades: 49ers, Kendrick Bourne connected in trade suggestion