3 Players the 49ers Should Target at the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline

The San Fransisco 49ers are off to a strong start in 2022 despite plenty of hurdles that could have derailed them.

They find themselves as the top team in the NFC West through five weeks and No. 7 in the latest version of Bleacher Report's power rankings.

They've found success through their usual means: A devastating defense paired with a ground game capable of ripping off big runs regardless of who is getting the ball in the backfield.

They've done it despite a litany of injuries that could have ended the season early. Starting quarterback Trey Lance went down for the year in Week 2, and Trent Williams hasn't played since Week 3.

Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw were missing from the middle of the defense. To make matters worse, Emmanuel Moseley suffered a torn ACL in Week 5, Jimmie Ward broke his hand, and Nick Bosa picked up a groin injury.

The bottom line is the Niners are a team capable of competing to win the NFC, but their depth is wearing thin. So, they should be looking to make a move ahead of the trade deadline on Nov. 1, and these names could help keep them at the top of the division.

CB Sidney Jones IV, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Seattle Seahawks defensive back Sidney Jones IV (23) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Trades within the division can always be tricky. Teams don't want to give an advantage to someone they are directly competing with, but a deal for Sidney Jones IV makes a lot of sense for both the 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.

For one, the Seahawks are in the middle of a rebuild. The success of Geno Smith has been a fun story, but 2-3 Seattle is still a lot closer to picking in the top 10 than it is competing for a Super Bowl.

The Seahawks rank 28th in ESPN's FPI metric.

Their treatment of Jones is a good indication that they understand they are still rebuilding. The veteran was a healthy scratch in Week 5 and he's only appeared in two games this year.

Last season, the 26-year-old was a solid corner, only allowing a 57.1 percent completion percentage and a passer rating of 78.9.

Jones would make a strong candidate to help replace Moseley, who is out for the year.

Daron Payne, Washington Commanders

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 09: Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Commanders warms up before the game against the Tennessee Titans at FedExField on October 9, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

If the Niners want to go all-in on building a dominant defense, Daron Payne might be the best addition available.

San Francisco already has a dominant defensive line, but the 25-year-old is an interior defender who would make the defensive front nearly impossible to game-plan against.

According to Seth Walder of ESPN, Payne is among the top defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate and still draws double teams on over 50 percent of his pass-rushing reps. With Armstead and Kinlaw dealing with injuries, he would be able to hold down the inside in their absence.

When Armstead comes back, the 49ers would have one of the best defensive tackle duos in the league.

Add Bosa to the outside and the Niners would have the kind of pass rush that will make them a threat against any passing attack in the playoffs.

Since they will be wading into the playoffs with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback again, that could be the most important factor for them in the postseason.

RB D'Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns

Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 27: D'Ernest Johnson #30 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Kyle Shanahan's offense is known for helping running backs put up superstar numbers, but even his system can be limited by personnel.

Thanks to several injuries, the backfield was reduced to playing 29-year-old Tevin Coleman for 28 percent of the snaps, giving him eight carries and three targets in the passing game.

Jeff Wilson Jr. has filled in well for Elijah Mitchell, but they are one injury from having to rely on the aging Coleman as the lead back. That's less than ideal for a team that depends on its running game more than most.

Meanwhile, D'Ernest Johnson is languishing on a Cleveland Browns offense that depends too much on Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to give him a role.

When injuries pressed Johnson into the lineup last season, he flashed enormous potential with 534 yards on 100 carries.

The 26-year-old re-signed with the team on a modest one-year, $1.2 million contract this season.

If the Browns can get a draft pick out of him, it would be a win for them. The added flexibility and depth he would add to the Niners' offense would make it a win-win.