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\nHere are five 49ers players who lack long-term commitments and could realistically be on the move:<\/p>\n
SANTA CLARA \u2013 While the idea of trading Trent Williams still feels preposterous and dealing Brandon Aiyuk remains highly unlikely, the 49ers could be far more active on the trade market than many realize heading into next week\u2019s NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
The team has a long history as one of the NFL\u2019s more aggressive merchants over the past decade, and this offseason presents fresh opportunities. With several young defensive contributors potentially expendable and backup quarterback Mac Jones lacking long-term security, San Francisco could look to move pieces to improve draft positioning, clear depth chart overlap, or replace veteran depth with promising rookies.<\/p>\n
\nHere are five 49ers players who lack long-term commitments and could realistically be on the move:<\/p>\n
1. MAC JONES, QUARTERBACK<\/p>\n
Even though head coach Kyle Shanahan stated two weeks ago that the 49ers were never close to trading Jones when other quarterbacks were changing teams in mid-March, the draft always brings a surge of quarterback-related chaos. It remains a long shot, but a team desperate for a signal-caller could circle back after being disappointed by this year\u2019s quarterback class, which is said to drop off sharply after former Cal star Fernando Mendoza. Keep an eye on interested suitors from Pittsburgh, Arizona, and the New York Jets.<\/p>\n
2. RENARDO GREEN, CORNERBACK<\/p>\n
Shanahan has been vocal in his belief that Green \u201cwill be a very good player,\u201d which makes sense given that he was a 2024 second-round pick. Yet in 31 career starts, the cornerback has recorded just one interception and was briefly benched during last season\u2019s finale in Seattle. With two years remaining on his rookie deal, Green now faces increased competition after the 49ers added veterans Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones to the cornerback room. His spot on the depth chart is no longer guaranteed.<\/p>\n
3. DEE WINTERS, LINEBACKER<\/p>\n
With Dre Greenlaw back healthy and locked in as the weak-side linebacker alongside Fred Warner, Winters suddenly looks expendable as he heads into the final year of his contract with a $3.7 million salary. The former starter appeared in all 17 games last season before an ankle injury slowed him in the playoffs. He delivered one of the season\u2019s most electric moments with a pick-six against Philip Rivers and the Colts, recording the fastest run by a 49ers ball carrier all year at 20.15 mph. Still, his future in San Francisco appears uncertain.<\/p>\n
4. JI\u2019AYIR BROWN, SAFETY<\/p>\n
Brown is also entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, carrying a $3.6 million salary. After being benched during the first month of last season, he worked his way back into the starting lineup and notched both of his interceptions in a November victory over Carolina. The third-round pick out of Penn State in 2023 has started 31 of 49 games played, but the 49ers may see an opportunity to upgrade or refresh the safety position through the draft or free agency.<\/p>\n
5. ISAAC GUERENDO, RUNNING BACK<\/p>\n
Shanahan has praised Guerendo\u2019s potential, noting, \u201cIsaac has shown us he can be very good in the passing game. You saw his rookie year, he\u2019s a good runner.\u201d After rushing for 420 yards as a rookie, however, the young back didn\u2019t record a single carry or offensive snap last season. A shoulder injury in training camp caused him to slip down the depth chart behind workhorse Christian McCaffrey, while Brian Robinson Jr. and Jordan James also saw limited opportunities. With no clear path to meaningful touches, Guerendo could be a prime candidate to be moved for value elsewhere.<\/p>\n
As the draft approaches, the 49ers once again have the pieces\u2014and the willingness\u2014to reshape their roster through trades. While moving stars like Williams or Aiyuk would be shocking, these five names represent a more realistic \u201cnext wave\u201d of players who could be packing their bags if the right offer comes along. Shanahan\u2019s track record suggests he won\u2019t hesitate to pull the trigger if it helps the long-term vision for a contending team.<\/p>\n
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SANTA CLARA \u2013 While the idea of trading Trent Williams still feels preposterous and dealing Brandon Aiyuk remains highly unlikely, the 49ers could be far more active… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":176834,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-176827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n