The San Francisco 49ers suddenly need another pass-rusher.
After releasing Leonard Floyd, the 49ers' pass rush is currently down to former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and a cast of role players led by Yetur Gross-Matos. To maximize Bosa's explosive potential, San Francisco would do well to find him a running mate.
Could the 49ers look to the trade market to find the extra body they need? There's a one-time star who couldn't find playing time down the stretch for the defending Super Bowl champions and could be appealing to San Francisco.
On Thursday, Beth Mishler-Elmore of Heavy named Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff, who signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the club last offseason, as a potential trade fit for the 49ers to bolster their pass rush.
"Historically, the 49ers’ most successful campaigns have been anchored by formidable defensive fronts, which was a huge component of their 2019 Super Bowl run," Mishler-Elmore wrote.
"To replicate such success, it’s imperative for the team to invest in top-tier pass-rushing talent. Maybe Huff isn’t that guy. But it might be worth a try for a Niners team looking for all the sparks it can get."
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Huff, 26, had a standout season for the New York Jets in 2023, but barely contributed for the Eagles in 12 regular-season games. He was inactive for all but one of the Eagles' four playoff games this past season after previously returning from injury in December.
Mishler-Elmore proposed that the 49ers could send the Eagles a 2025 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2026 fourth-rounder that becomes a third if Huff records 10 or more sacks in year one.
If the Eagles are already looking to trade Huff and get out from under his contract, it's possible the 49ers wouldn't even need to give up that sort of capital.
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