49ers trade targets: How San Francisco could get help on defense amid injuries

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a Super Bowl hangover in 2024 and finished 6-10 amid on-field injuries and off-field issues.

Similar to their last Super Bowl hangover in 2020, the team seemed set for a rebound two years after their trip to the championship game. In 2021, the team made the NFC championship game. In 2025, the team looked poised for another strong campaign.

At 4-2 entering Week 7’s “Sunday Night Football” game against the Atlanta Falcons, the 49ers lead the NFC West division standings. But the outlook isn’t too rosy.

San Francisco lost All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner for the season in Week 6 with a serious ankle injury. Top pass rusher Nick Bosa tore his ACL in Week 3 and is out for the season as well.

If the 49ers want to contend with the NFC’s best in 2025, they may need to make some additions. Luckily, they have some ammunition to do so.

San Francisco made few signings during free agency while losing multiple starters. That means they’ll have extra draft picks via the league’s compensatory formula. Even after trading a draft pick away to the Washington Commanders for running back Brian Robinson Jr., they’re projected to have four extra Day 3 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, per OverTheCap.

They could decide to spend that draft capital to upgrade the team in 2025 or use it to offset sending away earlier picks. Here are five trade targets the 49ers could consider adding ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline:

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.

LB Quincy Williams, New York Jets

This one almost makes too much sense. Williams played the last few years under current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and enjoyed the best seasons of his career under the former Jets head coach.

He’s not a one-for-one replacement but could help fill the massive void left by Warner’s injury. Warner leaves massive shoes to fill as the top linebacker in the league. This move wouldn’t get the 49ers back to normal but would ease the pressure on the 49ers’ young linebackers to fill the void.

New York enters Week 7 as the lone winless team in the NFL. They’d be well-served to look forward to the future and see what they could get for their starting linebacker once he’s back from injured reserve.

Edge Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins

Like the Jets, the Dolphins are off to a disappointing start to the season. Miami may be heading toward a rebuild this offseason as they enter Week 7 at 1-5.

Phillips has been a bright spot for the Dolphins’ 29th-ranked scoring defense. The 26-year-old edge rusher’s one of the top edge rushers in the league in run defense, something the 49ers put a premium on. He ranks tied for fourth league-wide in ESPN’s run stop win rate at the position.

Phillips is set to hit free agency after playing the 2025 season on the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. Miami could recoup some draft capital for a player on an expiring deal.

WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

San Francisco’s wide receiver room has resembled a M*A*S*H unit in 2025. Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins have all missed time with injuries or suspension. Tight end George Kittle’s injury took away arguably their most dangerous pass-catcher for the last month. Brandon Aiyuk still seems weeks away from a return at best.

New Orleans is in year one of the Kellen Moore regime. The Saints are 1-5 through six weeks but have played teams pretty close throughout the year. New Orleans has an aging roster, especially on defense, and could use extra draft capital to find more pieces for the future.

Olave is in the fourth year of his five-year rookie contract and has struggled to stay healthy. He missed nine games last season with multiple concussions. Bringing an injury-prone wideout to an already injured position group may be misguided but could offer some reinforcements ahead of Aiyuk’s return.

Edge Dre’Mont Jones, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee became the first team to make a change at head coach when they fired Brian Callahan. They’re likely in sell mode ahead of a crucial offseason. They could use more draft capital as they build around 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.

Jones signed a one-year deal this offseason with the Titans and had his first sack of the season in Week 6 against Las Vegas. He’s a familiar face for the 49ers as he spent the last two years with the Seattle Seahawks. At 6-foot-3 and 281 pounds, he has the size San Francisco likes at the position. He signed a one-year deal with Tennessee so he’s not likely to be part of their long-term plans.

He’d also reunite with his former Buckeyes teammate Bosa and help the team off the edge. With Bosa out, San Francisco has dropped to 27th in the NFL in ESPN’s pass rush win rate entering Week 7.

CB Cam Taylor-Britt, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati did not play Taylor-Britt on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7. As a healthy scratch, his absence seemed to indicate the team is looking to move him at the deadline.

San Francisco could use some help at the position. They’re relying on young players at outside corner (2024 second-round pick Renardo Green) and nickel (2025 third-round pick Upton Stout). The team’s veteran at the position, Deommodore Lenoir, has allowed 15 catches and one touchdown on 23 targets so far this season.

Taylor-Britt is in the final year of his rookie contract as a second-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s solid in run defense and has good ball production with eight interceptions and 22 pass break-ups through 44 career games, per Pro Football Focus data.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers trade targets: Injuries leaves holes to fill on defense