1 player 49ers must trade before 2026 NFL trade deadline

October 24, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

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The San Francisco 49ers will head into Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons without two of their key receivers, as Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel have both been ruled out due to injuries. Evans is dealing with issues related to his Achilles and ribs, while Samuel is sidelined because of a hamstring problem. Despite these absences, the 49ers are entering Week 7 with an impressive 6-0 record.

On a more positive note, there is encouraging news about Nick Bosa, who may return from his calf injury for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 8, following the team’s bye week. His potential return would significantly bolster a defense that has managed to perform well despite facing substantial personnel losses.

General manager John Lynch is facing a unique situation as the November 10 trade deadline approaches. The 49ers have established themselves as one of the strongest teams in the NFC, but injuries have created a need for reinforcements in several positions, and finding ways to address these weaknesses may involve trading away a veteran player whose playing time has decreased in an increasingly competitive position group.

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Cornerback Jack Jones is likely to be San Francisco’s primary trade candidate, as his limited role and affordable contract present an opportunity to recover an asset before he reaches free agency.

Jack Jones has struggled to establish a meaningful role in San Francisco

Jones arrived in April on a one-year agreement worth approximately $1.2 million, bringing significant experience as a starter from his previous tenures with New England, Las Vegas, and Miami. The signing made sense for a team looking to enhance competition in its secondary. In 2025, Jones started all 17 games for the Dolphins, recording 77 tackles, six passes defended, and one interception. The year before, he started 16 games for the Raiders and produced three interceptions along with 16 passes defended, and these performances showcased his ability to handle substantial responsibilities in an NFL defense, although he has struggled with consistency throughout his career.

However, his first season in San Francisco has been different. Through six games, Jones has played only 71 defensive snaps, which represents about 18 percent of the team’s total defensive plays. He has yet to start a game, with his participation mainly limited to specific packages that require additional defensive backs.

Despite this limited role, Jones has recorded six tackles and three passes defended, providing occasional contributions without securing a consistent place in defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ preferred lineups. The current cornerbacks in San Francisco have contributed significantly to this situation, as Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir have taken on extensive responsibilities, while Upton Stout has been developing into a valuable option in the secondary. The coaching staff has shown confidence in these players, allowing the 49ers to maintain defensive consistency even with injuries affecting other positions.

Jones’ experience remains beneficial, especially when Morris needs additional coverage options against teams that spread the field, but his reduced workload raises questions about whether San Francisco is getting enough value from a veteran player who could attract interest from other teams. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, General Manager John Lynch has a limited window to explore potential trade possibilities before Jones becomes eligible for free agency again.

His starting experience could appeal to teams seeking secondary help

The strongest argument for trading Jones lies in the contrast between his current responsibilities and the workload he has successfully managed with other teams. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he played in all 34 regular-season games for the Raiders and Dolphins, starting 33 of them. This experience provides interested teams with significantly more information than they would have when assessing an inexperienced reserve.

Jones has also shown an ability to make impactful plays on the field, recording eight interceptions over his first four NFL seasons. His performance in Las Vegas was particularly impressive because he intercepted three passes during the 2024 season, returning one for a touchdown. This ability highlights his anticipation and disruptive presence in coverage, and these characteristics could be appealing to teams dealing with injuries or disappointing performances at the outside cornerback position. A team with limited healthy options may value a veteran who can step in and handle significant playing time immediately, especially since bringing in a younger player would require more extensive development.

Jones’ affordable contract could make negotiations relatively straightforward. An acquiring team would take on his remaining salary without committing substantial resources beyond the current season, providing them flexibility when considering a short-term addition. San Francisco should be realistic about the compensation they can expect. Jones’ limited playing time this season and his impending free agency decrease the chances of receiving a premium draft selection. A late-round pick or another modest asset would be a more likely outcome, depending on the needs of the acquiring team.

San Francisco must consider its own cornerback injuries

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Moving Jones would involve legitimate risks for a team already facing injuries throughout the roster. Nate Hobbs has been on injured reserve since the start of the season, limiting the number of experienced cornerbacks available to Coach Morris. Additionally, Stout is questionable for the game against Atlanta due to a shoulder injury, creating further uncertainty before San Francisco’s upcoming bye week. These circumstances make the timing of a potential trade especially important. Green and Lenoir have provided a reliable foundation, but the coaching staff cannot assume that both will remain healthy for the rest of the season. The 49ers have also invested in rookie Ephesians Prysock, whose development could eventually offer more flexibility within the rotation. However, increasing his responsibilities would require confidence that he can handle challenging coverage assignments against experienced NFL receivers.

Jones provides insurance against these uncertainties, as he has already shown the ability to start games at the professional level. Therefore, General Manager Lynch will need to assess whether the team can afford to lose that experience without exposing itself to greater problems later in the season. The upcoming bye week offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate the health of the secondary, especially as the organization prepares for its November matchup against Las Vegas. If Stout improves and the coaching staff gains more confidence in its younger alternatives, trading Jones could become a more appealing option.

San Francisco’s undefeated record gives the front office the flexibility to approach these discussions deliberately, maintaining defensive depth until another team presents a worthwhile offer.

Trading Jones could help address a more urgent offensive need

The receiving situation for the 49ers has become one of the most complicated aspects of their otherwise successful season. Evans has recorded 27 receptions for 420 yards and three touchdowns in six games, establishing himself as a key target for Brock Purdy. His absence against Atlanta removes a reliable source of production from an offense already missing several key contributors.

Despite these possibilities, the number of unavailable receivers creates uncertainty about how effectively San Francisco can maintain its usual offensive flexibility. Acquiring additional receiving depth before November could help safeguard the offense against further injuries while easing the pressure on players returning from extended absences, and while Jones may not generate sufficient compensation on his own to acquire a significant offensive contributor, his value could become more substantial as part of a larger transaction involving draft picks or another player. This approach would enable Lynch to explore potential reinforcements without sacrificing key contributors who currently have substantial responsibilities.

San Francisco has already heavily invested in maintaining a championship-caliber roster, making the efficient use of its remaining assets increasingly important. A modest trade involving an underused veteran could offer another opportunity to address immediate needs while preserving the team’s most valuable resources.

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