Could the longest offseason trade saga of 2024 finally come to fruition? One insider certainly seems to think so.
According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, a deal involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk can’t be ruled out this week. He noted that the team is seeking a first-round pick despite 49ers general manager John Lynch publicly stating that he doesn’t anticipate one.
“Based on what I’m hearing from knowledgeable sources inside the building, and from high-ranking personnel executives and coaches around the league, don’t rule out a deal that would send Brock Purdy’s favorite target to another team,” Silver wrote.
“To this point, the 49ers have asked for a 2024 first-round pick. ‘They want too much,’ said the executive, whose team is in the market for a receiver. However, another team’s GM said he believes the 49ers might ultimately accept a second-round selection.”
The end result is a possibility where Aiyuk gets traded to someone on Draft Day, either for a first- or a second-round pick.
Per the report, a big sticking point is that Aiyuk would need to sign a new contract upon joining his new team. But beyond that, the first-round pick could also be a little bit much.
We’ve seen plenty of NFL teams get top tier wide receivers for considerably less than a first-round draft pick.
Aiyuk has led the 49ers in receiving in three of the last four seasons and has proven to be the top target for quarterback Brock Purdy. But if the 49ers don’t trade him now and get some kind of compensation for him, they might be forced to let him go for nothing when his deal is up.
Will we see a trade manifest on Draft Day?