The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the most successful teams in the NFL in recent years. Since head coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, they have appeared in four conference Championships and made it to two Super Bowls, but something has always kept them from getting over the hump and winning the big one.
It appears that could again be the case this season. The Niners are currently 4-2, featuring one standout performance against the white-hot Los Angeles Rams in primetime, where Mac Jones led an offense missing all three starting wide receivers and its star tight end to victory.
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Typically, overcoming the injuries San Francisco has faced and finishing that tough stretch with a winning record feels like a miracle that could set the team up for a playoff run. Unfortunately, that positive vibe isn’t what’s being felt in San Francisco right now. They are now without their two best defensive players for the rest of the season: edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner. Without those two, nearly all hopes of a Super Bowl win are gone.
However, San Francisco is still a franchise that’s all-in, given the ages of some of their stars like Trent Williams and George Kittle. Because of that, they likely want to stay aggressive, even without Warner and Bosa.
If that’s the case, here are some players they could be, or should be, trying to acquire before the trade deadline next month.
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Edge Rushers
Trey Hendrickson
Sep 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) celebrates the win after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images© Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the first player San Francisco has their eye on is Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is assumed to be fairly unhappy with the team, given their refusal to sign him to a long-term deal before the season began and their current 2-4 record.
The Bengals aren’t currently planning to trade Hendrickson, but if they don’t start winning games, that could change.
Jaelan Phillips
Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Phillips is another interesting option for the 49ers to consider. When healthy, Phillips has been one of the better edge rushers in the league, and he’s putting together another strong season in 2025. Below is Brandon Thorn’s True Pressure Rate ranking, which identified Phillips as one of the better pass rushers in the league through Week 4.
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Phillips would provide San Francisco with exactly what they need at edge rusher after Bosa’s injury—juice off the edge. They have Bryce Huff on the roster, who is a talented pass rusher, but his limitations against the run mean he can only be on the field for pure passing downs. Phillips, on the other hand, can play all three downs and has been a plus run defender at times throughout his career.
Jermaine Johnson II
Oct 12, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is pressured by New York Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson II (11) during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
According to Jets reporter Connor Hughes, several teams have recently approached the Jets about Johnson. He’ll reportedly carry a significant price tag, but the impact Johnson would have on San Francisco’s defense might make that cost worthwhile.
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Johnson has a history with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The pair worked together during Saleh’s tenure as the Jets’ head coach, featuring a particularly successful season for Johnson in 2023, when he finished the year with 59 pressures and nine sacks.
Linebackers
Demario Davis
Sep 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
It seems unlikely that Davis will be traded, given that he’s in his eighth season with New Orleans, a franchise known for being particularly stingy with their long-time players. However, if he becomes available, Davis could be an incredible piece for Saleh’s defense, as his experience and leadership are two invaluable qualities that the Niners lost at linebacker when Fred Warner went down.
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At 36 years old, Davis isn’t the same sideline-to-sideline athlete as Warner, but he still delivers high-level play between the tackles.
Quincy Williams
Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) tries to maneuver past New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Williams also has a history with Saleh, having joined the Jets after being waived by Jacksonville prior to the 2021 season. Saleh helped him turn his career around, with Williams earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2023.
Williams becomes a free agent after this season, which is a big reason he’s involved in trade rumors. He would fit well with the Niners, helping to lead a young linebacker group that now lacks an experienced veteran presence.
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Christian Harris
Dec 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) is introduced before playing against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Harris is another player Fowler mentioned in his piece, as his experience in a 49ers-esque system under Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans should mesh well in San Francisco.
Harris has starting experience under Ryans, starting 12 games in 2023 and four in 2024, but a calf injury kept him off the field for most of the latter year.
In 2025, Harris has been buried on the depth chart behind starting linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o. Surprisingly, he’s also been out-snapped by former Colts linebacker E.J. Speed, who has played 72 snaps to Harris’ 34 this season, per PFF.
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Given his inability to get on the field in Houston, it’s assumed that Harris would be more of a reclamation project than a reliable option, but his top-tier athleticism offers some exciting potential under Saleh.
Related: Anthony Richardson’s Freak Injury Could Mark the End of His Colts Tenure
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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