3 Players 49ers Must Consider Trading for at 2023 NFL Deadline
The San Francisco 49ers enter the final full week before the 2023 NFL Trade deadline as a team that feels primed to make a deal.
In the first five games of the year, they showed why they are considered a Super Bowl favorite. They started off 5-0 and looked like a juggernaut. Then they dropped the last two games and sit at 5-2.
That's why it's no surprise that the Niners were among the few teams that Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported have been calling around the league looking to add to their roster.
After making a run to the NFC Championship Game last season, San Francisco knows better than most that adding one or two good players to a strong roster can make all the difference in January.
With that in mind, here are three options they should consider as the trade deadline draws closer.
CB K'Waun Williams, Denver Broncos
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If the Monday Night Football loss to the Vikings showed anything, it's that issues in the secondary could wind up coming back to bite the Niners at an inopportune time if they don't add to the unit.
Kirk Cousins threw for 378 yards and the Vikings didn't even have Justin Jefferson. San Francisco has a lot of talent on defense, but the slot cornerback position has been a question mark since the season started.
Isaiah Oliver and Ambry Thomas have both had a shot at locking down the role, but neither has been good enough to consider the situation "settled".
Bringing back a familiar face in K'Waun Williams would go a long way in bringing some peace of mind in the slot. Williams went to Denver this offseason and he's allowing a passer rating of 69.3.
That stellar play hasn't helped the Broncos find success on the field, though. Denver figures to be a team willing to sell at the deadline after a 2-5 start to the season.
OL Cody Whitehair, Chicago Bears
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On offense, the 49ers biggest concern comes along the offensive line where both Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford are ranked lower than 64th among all the guards in the league that PFF has graded this season.
Even Kyle Shanahan's play-calling can't mask deficiencies on the offensive line. The 49ers averaged just 3.0 yards on the ground against the Vikings and they gave up three sacks against the Browns.
Finding offensve line help this time of year is never easy. However, Cody Whitehair could be an attainable option. The 31-year-old has made 114 career starts and has experience at all three interior line spots.
The Bears benched him at center and have Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis to man both guard spots.
Whitehair hasn't really outplayed Banks or Burford, but if it's only going to cost a late Day 3 pick it would at least be worth bringing in some competition for their starting duo.
CB Donte Jackson, Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers and the 49ers have developed a little bit of history as trade partners. Last season, their big addition was Christian McCaffrey, but they also traded for kicker Zane Gonzalez this spring.
So when Joe Person of The Athletic reported that the Panthers have reached out to teams to gauge interest in Donte Jackson, it's something that should pique the interest of Niners fans. Jackson has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but when healthy he has shown the ability to be an asset in coverage.
Jackson is giving up a passer rating of 157.1 this year, but he was much better last season and the two seasons before that. Given the general woes of the Panthers' defense and their winless record, Jackson's play might get better playing on a team that's trying to win a championship.
Jackson actually has another year on his contract that won't be too cumbersome for the team acquiring him. While most trades are either half-year rentals or a player who needs an extension, Jackson could wind up being a two-year solution.
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