The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a variety of backbreaking injuries at the wide receiver position. Superstar wideout Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday's defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fellow receiver Deebo Samuel is currently hospitalized with a case of pneumonia. Jauan Jennings also missed Sunday's loss with a hip issue.
Injuries are threatening to derail San Francisco's season. Currently a disappointing 3-4 and in third place in the NFC West, the 49ers are at risk of missing the postseason altogether. With another Super Bowl appearance being the expectation, general manager John Lynch can't throw in the towel.
With issues mounting at receiver, Lynch and Kyle Shanahan should consider acquiring a difference maker. The NFL trade deadline is swiftly approaching (Nov. 5). We've identified three potential options.
DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins is by far the most intriguing veteran receiver that should be available on the market. A five-time Pro Bowler, Hopkins is cut from the same cloth as Amari Cooper and Davante Adams, who were both traded to contenders last week. The 1-5 Tennessee Titans require additional draft capital to continue rebuilding their roster, a process that may include selecting a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Hopkins is playing on an expiring contract with a manageable base salary of $8.2 million. His usage has been downright confusing at times this season, splitting time with first-round bust Treylon Burks, who is now on IR. Hopkins should be available via trade for a fourth-round selection, slightly less than what Cooper and Adams went for.
Diontae Johnson
The 1-6 Carolina Panthers are another rebuilding team that needs more draft capital as they prepare to draft Bryce Young’s replacement in April. They’re firmly in contention for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is easily the Panthers player that should garner the most interest at the deadline. Johnson is also on an expiring contract and could be disinterested in re-signing in Carolina this offseason.
Plus, the Panthers have other long-term building blocks at the position such as Xavier Legette. Johnson has recorded 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season. He'd immediately help the 49ers replace the production lost in the Aiyuk injury.
Kendrick Bourne
The New England Patriots are building around rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who has played two impressive games in a row to begin life as the starter. Part of that means developing young pass catchers alongside Maye. Ascending talents such as DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte are playing extensive snaps.
That makes a veteran like Kendrick Bourne expendable. An eight-year pro, the experienced pass catcher was previously sidelined with injury and hasn't recorded more than two receptions in any single appearance this campaign. With a bunch of 400-yard seasons under his belt, there's some untapped potential that isn't being realized in Foxboro. If the 49ers are searching for an affordable option that could probably be acquired for a day-three pick swap, they could do worse. Bourne played in San Francisco for coach Shanahan from 2017 to 2020.
