Despite signing an extension last offseason, Brandon Aiyuk is the prime trade asset
Draft-day trades are the biggest variable to consider for teams with roster needs. Will teams take on a proven commodity for the unknown of a draft pick? There is an advantage to mitigating the risk of a draft pick and its potential with a proven player, but hitting on young, cheap talent before their big payday is how great franchises thrive year after year.
Which 49ers player has the most trade value heading into the draft? Nick Bosa would return the most compensation, but he’s not a realistic trade chip. The answer is Brandon Aiyuk.
Pro Football Focus identified the former ASU receiver as the team’s best trade asset.
There have been reports of the 49ers’ higher-ups being dissatisfied with Aiyuk’s behavior during the negotiation process, with the idea of buyer’s remorse on the extension following a devastating knee injury suffered during the season.
Bradley Locker of PFF outlines his reasoning about Aiyuk’s trade value.
San Francisco has retooled its roster going into 2025, moving on from Deebo Samuel, Charvarius Ward, Dre Greenlaw, Javon Hargrave, and others. On the surface, it wouldn’t seem like the same applies to Aiyuk, but there’s more than meets the eye.
Aiyuk was involved in trade scenarios for nearly four months last summer before agreeing to a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers. Still, he turned in a career-low 74.1 PFF receiving grade before tearing his ACL in Week 7. Reports have resurfaced about the team wanting to trade Aiyuk, especially before $31 million is guaranteed on April 1. That gives credence to the idea that a swap could happen after nearly a year of build-up.
The monkey wrench in a potential deal for Aiyuk is the April 1st roster bonus. Is it possible for the 49ers to negotiate a later date to pay out the bonus with a potential deal in place? Will Aiyuk even agree to be traded in the first place? If the delayed date of the roster bonus is leaked then won’t it become obvious of the 49ers needs in the draft and plan?
The process could have played out until draft day, but the April 1 date is drawing near and is a big part of the process if the 49ers are truly seeking a trade partner for Aiyuk.
Aiyuk’s name should be monitored due to the uncertain nature of his recovery and the 49ers’ plan to clear money off their books. Rolling the dice on his recovery is almost a boom-or-bust scenario. If the 49ers stick with Aiyuk and he returns to form, then it is the best scenario. However, if Aiyuk struggles with his recovery and can’t return to the player the 49ers envisioned, the situation becomes much more complicated.