49ers named as fit for 3 receiver trades and NFC West pass rusher
The 49ers are linked to potential trades for Jauan Jennings, Brian Thomas Jr. and Quentin Johnston, plus Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat.
Latest news and updates about the 49ers
The 49ers are linked to potential trades for Jauan Jennings, Brian Thomas Jr. and Quentin Johnston, plus Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat.
The Niners Nation blog ranks the NFC’s top contenders after a flurry of recent moves. The San Francisco 49ers sit atop the list at 6‑1, bolstered by Kyle Shanahan’s leadership, the return of Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner, and a healthy core of receivers. Close behind are the Seattle Seahawks, whose defense the author deems the league’s best and who add running back Zach Charbonnet to a revitalized offense. The Chicago Bears make a bold “all‑in” push, trading two first‑rounders for defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons and leaning on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, though they lag defensively. The Minnesota Vikings round out the four, praised for a top‑10 defense but hindered by a struggling offense. The piece evaluates each team’s strengths, recent transactions, and playoff prospects as the NFC race tightens.
49ers legend Steve Young explains why the DeForest Buckner trade could transform San Francisco's defensive front and why the move matters for the team.
Entering Week 8 at 6‑1, the 49ers credit more than their marquee names for their hot start. Fourth‑round pick Malik Mustapha has emerged as a defensive enforcer with 28 tackles, a fumble recovery and three passes defended, highlighted by a clutch tackle against Washington and a game‑saving pass breakup versus Atlanta. Third‑year DB Renardo Green rebounds from early‑career struggles, posting 26 tackles, five passes defended and three interceptions, tying for the league lead. Backup RB Kaelon Black, drafted in the third round, provides 57 carries for 233 yards at 4.1 ypc, easing the load on Christian McCaffrey and helping keep the star fresh. These under‑the‑radar contributors are shaping San Francisco’s success.
Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak warns that the Week 8 road game at the New York Jets is a make‑or‑break moment for the AFC playoff hopes. After a 3‑0 start, the Raiders have slipped to 3‑4, while the Jets sit at 2‑5. A win keeps the Raiders in the tight nine‑team race for seven playoff spots; a loss drops them to 3‑5 and could trigger trade moves before the Nov. 10 deadline. Kubiak emphasizes the importance of staying error‑free against a struggling opponent before facing a tough three‑game stretch versus the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos.
Week 7 roundup highlights the Vikings as the NFL’s lone unbeaten team after a 16-10 win over the Colts, capped by T.J. Hockenson’s 5‑yard touchdown on National Tight End Day. After five seasons on practice squads, Brandon Smith finally records his first NFL catches—two for 24 yards—in Pittsburgh’s 16-10 victory over New Orleans. Noah Fant adds two receptions as the Saints slip to 2‑5. The Lions edge Green Bay 20-17, with Sam LaPorta limited to one catch and Jack Campbell leading Detroit with 11 tackles. George Kittle posts six catches for 88 yards, but the 49ers fall 29-20 to Atlanta. Tyler Goodson contributes 10 carries and a blocked kickoff return for Dallas, while Erick All suffers a season‑ending ACL tear after a three‑catch, 26‑yard effort in Cincinnati’s win.
With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 10, NFC rivals are already making moves—Seattle added guard Quenton Nelson, San Francisco took DT DeForest Buckner, and Chicago acquired DL Jeffery Simmons. Green Bay’s GM Brian Gutekunst now faces pressure to address key holes: a depleted interior defensive line, an offensive line still ranked as the team's biggest weakness, and a need for a reliable wide receiver after Jayden Reed landed on IR. While draft capital is scarce, the Packers must decide whether to act now to stay competitive in the NFC race, especially with the Bears poised to challenge the division.
The Washington Commanders place star receiver Terry McLaurin on injured reserve after he tears the patellar tendon in his left knee during the Oct. 19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The surgery‑requiring injury ends his 2026 season, leaving the 31‑year‑old two‑time Pro Bowler with just 15 catches for 230 yards and one touchdown in five games. Coach Dan Quinn calls him a captain and leader, noting the blow comes amid a roster already hit by injuries. Washington will lean on veterans Stefon Diggs, rookie Antonio Williams and promote Van Jefferson as they adjust their offense, while McLaurin’s $96 million, three‑year extension through 2028 raises future roster questions.
The San Francisco 49ers have reacquired veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts, giving up a 2027 fourth‑round pick. Buckner, a 2016 first‑rounder who earned three Pro Bowls, two All‑Pro nods and helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV, returns after seven years in Indianapolis, where he logged 31 tackles, four sacks and a fumble recovery in seven games this season. The trade bolsters a 6‑1 49ers defense heading into the playoff push, offering seasoned interior pressure at a modest cost, while the Colts continue reshaping their roster.
During the 49ers’ 24‑17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 29, 2026, tight end George Kittle cracked a "Project Hail Mary" joke with Falcons safety Brandon Dorlus and reacted to fans dressed as aliens in the stands. Kittle led San Francisco with eight catches for 88 yards but muffed a crucial fumble, while Brock Purdy threw for 288 yards, one TD and two picks, hurting his MVP hopes. The defeat dropped the 49ers from unbeaten to 5‑1, setting up a Week 10 showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brock Purdy's critics got loud after one bad game in Atlanta. Why the rankings drop and the MVP panic are ignoring seven weeks of elite play.
The Falcons host the Buccaneers in Week 8, a clash that could push Atlanta to a 4‑4 record while sinking Tampa Bay to 2‑6. Both teams sit near the bottom of the NFC South, but the Bucs have sparked a defensive resurgence and a strong ground game under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, despite a collapsing passing attack led by an injured Baker Mayfield. Atlanta’s balanced offense—league‑average passing and effective rushing—has been inconsistent, yet recent wins over the 49ers, Saints and Panthers show potential. The game hinges on Tampa’s ability to generate turnovers and run the ball, and whether the Falcons can string together another quality performance.
The 49ers boost their defensive line by trading for veteran DT DeForest Buckner, giving San Francisco a reliable interior pass‑rusher alongside Osa Odighizuwa. Buckner, 32, has posted 31 tackles, 20 pressures and four sacks this season and logged the fourth‑most snaps among DTs (353) through seven games. Pairing him with Odighizuwa (346 snaps, 21 pressures) lets the 49ers rotate five DTs—Buckner, Odighizuwa, Gracen Halton, James Thompson Jr., and Sebastian Valdez—keeping players fresh for a playoff run and preserving the development of younger talent. The move adds depth and flexibility to the front seven.
The Chicago Bears trade for Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, surrendering two first‑rounders and a fourth‑round pick. A rival NFC GM texted Bears scout Jordan Schultz, praising the move and declaring the Bears a legitimate Super Bowl roster now and for years. Simmons, a 2019 No. 19 pick, has 37.5 sacks (2021‑2025), four Pro Bowls, and a career‑high 11 sacks last season. Paired with Caleb Williams' offense, his arrival could finally push Chicago back into Super Bowl contention for the first time since 2006.
With George Kittle and some key streaming options out of action on a bye, fantasy managers will need to find […]
The San Francisco 49ers kick off the trade deadline by reacquiring former defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2027 fourth‑round pick, adding him to interior linemen Osa Odighizuwa and bolstering a deepening pass‑rush. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears package two first‑rounders and a fourth‑rounder to the Tennessee Titans for star DT Jeffery Simmons, a move that could reshape NFC Super Bowl odds. Both deals follow last week’s blockbuster trades of Quenton Nelson to Seattle and highlight a volatile deadline as teams vie for defensive upgrades.
The San Francisco 49ers are early winners of the 2026 trade deadline, but with two weeks still to go, there is still much to be decided. Despite reuniting with
The Falcons reinvented their offense with a methodical, drive‑focused approach in an upset win over the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw 24 of 31 for 194 yards and three touchdowns when protected, leading four consecutive drives of ten plays or more. Key playmakers Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Jahan Dotson stretched the field, while heavy personnel sets and quick early‑down completions kept the chains moving. Coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees emphasized short‑and‑intermediate routes, culminating in touchdowns to Nick Muse, London and Pitts. The game showcased the Falcons’ shift from explosive bursts to efficient, ball‑control football.
The 49ers traded for DeForest Buckner, but could John Lynch make another move? Explore potential targets Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat, and Garrett Wilson.
The Niners aren't playing, but the games that are happening could have implications for the season.
The Big Lead’s Week 8 running back power rankings list the NFL’s top 15 backs, highlighting injuries, recent performances and matchups. Notable entries include Arizona’s Jeremiyah Love, who missed two games with an ankle injury but may return against Dallas; Chicago’s D’Andre Swift, fresh off his seventh touchdown; Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving, who rushed for 106 yards and two scores; and Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Warren, who posted his third 100‑yard game. The top five feature Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Derrick Henry (Ravens), Christian McCaffrey (49ers), Kyren Williams (Rams) and Javonte Williams (Cowboys), each with multiple touchdowns and strong week‑7 showings.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranks Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. as the league’s No. 2 trade candidate, giving him a 45% chance of moving before the Nov. 10 deadline. After a 1,200‑yard rookie season in 2024, his production dropped to 707 yards in 2025 and just 105 yards with one TD through six games this year. At 24, Thomas is in the third year of a four‑year, $14.38 M contract, and the Chiefs, Steelers and 49ers are listed as likely destinations. Kansas City needs receiver depth after injuries, Pittsburgh eyes him as a fit, and San Francisco could use a replacement for the injured Mike Evans.
Going into Week 7 the San Francisco 49ers appeared the NFC's top team, boasting a perfect 6-0 record and MVP‑level play from Brock Purdy. After a surprising loss to the Atlanta Falcons—four turnovers and a blown 14‑3 lead—the blog asks who now leads the NFC. It breaks down candidates: 49ers (still #1 by DVOA, strong offense, solid defense), Vikings (only unbeaten team, elite defense), Seahawks (defending champs, defensive strength despite offensive woes), Bears (Caleb Williams return, solid defense), Lions (high‑scoring offense, improving defense), and Rams (efficient but 3‑4 record). The author still favors the 49ers as a fluke loss, ranking Bears, Seahawks, Vikings, Lions, and Rams next, and invites readers to vote.
The Niners Nation blog breaks down the 49ers' offseason moves, highlighting the recent re‑signing of edge rusher DeForest Buckler and suggesting further upgrades like Mack, Will McDonald IV, Josh Sweat or Yaya Diaby. It flags potential low‑cost wide‑receiver options—Brian Thomas Jr., Jerry Jeudy or Josh Downs—while noting the unlikely trade of stars like Maxx Crosby or Garrett Wilson. The piece also reports the release of cornerback Jordan Jones, saving the team $140K, and mentions Nate Hobbs on IR as a possible veteran fill‑in. Finally, it speculates on trading first‑rounder Quentin Johnston if the Chargers look to move on.
The Rams, reeling from a 3-4 start after Myles Garrett’s Week 1 knee injury, may consider another blockbuster trade, but coach Sean McVay says the priority is waiting for injured starters to return rather than buying new talent. McVay notes key players like Davante Adams, Trent McDuffie, and Blake Gripe are expected back soon, making a trade for long‑term IR players unlikely. Meanwhile, the Seahawks and 49ers have already added Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner via trades. The Rams host the Chargers this Sunday.