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The deadline to trade concludes next Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have long maintained they will entertain all possibilities, but they remain confident in the current roster moving forward, despite the 1-6 start. They have neither said nor reportedly done anything to infer they are trying to buy or sell before the deadline.
There are, however, several candidates who could fit into the 49ers’ plan and help solve some issues. Seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson would have been the slam dunk signing, as he was apparently disgruntled with the current 1-6 Cardinals. On Wednesday morning, however, he announced via Twitter that he plans to remain with Arizona.
Below are four players who would fit into the 49ers’ current needs.
Raiders CB Gareon Conley
The Raiders seem keen on overhauling their roster and stocking as many future high draft picks as possible.
They drafted Conley with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played just two games in his rookie season due to a shin injury. He has been inconsistent this season, though he returned an interception for a 36-yard touchdown in Week 4.
Why the 49ers would make the trade
The 49ers solved their left cornerback dilemma when they signed Richard Sherman in March. In five appearances this season, he has statistically been the top lockdown corner in the league, just as he has been throughout his eight-year career.
Through seven games, however, the 49ers have allowed 266 yards per game, ranked 20th in the NFL. Opposing teams have regularly targeted Jimmie Ward, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Greg Mabin, the platoon at right cornerback, and it’s worked. Witherspoon was expected to make the jump in his second season, but he has struggled.
The 49ers will give Witherspoon plenty of opportunity before turning the page, but his benching in Week 6 proved that no one is entitled to playing time. Adding Conley, a six-foot cornerback who fits the prototype in Robert Saleh’s Cover-3 scheme, would add legitimate competition at the right cornerback position.
Why it won’t happen
CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora reported that three teams are “sniffing around” on Conley, but the 49ers were not included.
Teams sniffing around on Janoris Jenkins and Gareon Conley. The corner market is hot ahead of the deadline. PHI, NE, PIT among those exploring multiple options
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 23, 2018
From a personnel perspective, it’s likely the 49ers will see this thing out with Witherspoon. Mabin, another second-year player, is still learning. San Francisco drafted Tarvarius Moore in the third round of the 2018 draft with the plan to convert him from a safety to cornerback.
Raiders DE Bruce Irvin
The 49ers chose not to address the pass-rushing void in the offseason. The one free agent signing they made, Jeremiah Attaochu, was cut prior to Week 1. The front office had faith that Cassius Marsh, Ronald Blair, Solomon Thomas, and Arik Armstead could get it done.
That has not happened so far. San Francisco has just 14 sacks and three forced turnovers on the year.
Why the 49ers would make the trade
Irvin may not be the long-term solution, but he’s a proven edge presence. He has compiled at least 5.5 sacks in five of six completed NFL seasons.
Why it won’t happen
Reason No. 1: Irvin does not present much long-term value. The 49ers chose not to re-sign 34-year-old Elvis Dumervil, one of the most accomplished edge rushers of this generation, last offseason.
Reason No. 2: The upcoming draft class is also loaded with great edge rushers.
Raiders SS Karl Joseph
Joseph may be the next first-round draft pick to go in Oakland.
Raiders likely not done trading former first-round picks. Safety Karl Joseph a strong candidate to be moved before deadline. If this culminates, would mean Raiders have shipped their first-round choice from 2014 (Mack), 2015 (Cooper) and 2016 (Joseph) since September.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 22, 2018
Why the 49ers would make the trade
The 49ers’ secondary depth took a hit last Sunday when starting free safety Adrian Colbert suffered a high ankle sprain that will place him on injured reserve, likely ending his season.
Joseph is a strong safety, but Jaquiski Tartt, the current 49ers starter at that spot, has experience playing free safety. The secondary has produced just one interception this season, an Antone Exum pick-six in Week 4.
Why it won’t happen
Joseph has missed the past three games with a groin injury. And when he was active, he was not particularly good, earning a 63.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade.
In the fifth round of April’s draft, the 49ers drafted rookie D.J. Reed, who has converted from cornerback to a nickel corner/free safety hybrid. He will compete for Jimmie Ward for the starting reps in Colbert’s absence. With the 49ers’ playoff hopes all but gone, it’s likely the coaching staff will give these rookies more playing time so they can develop.
Jaguars DE Dante Fowler
Jacksonville drafted Fowler with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Saleh was part of the Jacksonville coaching staff at the time. He has implemented a similar 4-3 scheme with the 49ers.
Why the 49ers would make the trade
Fowler is a mercurial pass rusher who forces turnovers, two things that are severely lacking in San Francisco’s defense.
He currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ third-best edge defender in pass-rushing situations. Last year, Fowler had eight sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles, all of which would have led the 49ers. He has two sacks and one forced fumble this season.
Why it won’t happen
There have been no reports indicating the Jags are looking to shop Fowler. Back in August, the Jets reportedly inquired about Fowler, but the interest was not reciprocated.
And similar to the Irvin explanation, the 49ers could hold off to draft one of the top edge rushers in the 2019 draft.