The San Francisco 49ers could rebound to become Super Bowl contenders again in 2025, but they'll need a lot of things to break right.
After a mass exodus of talent in free agency, the 49ers have a surprising number of positions still unsolved. Come Thursday, they'll be choosing between offensive line, secondary, and defensive end as first-round draft targets.
The 49ers made a surprise move when they cut edge-rusher Leonard Floyd on the heels of his 8.5 sacks last season. They may have been angling to sign Joey Bosa instead, but that plan was nixed when Bosa went to the Buffalo Bills.
Does that mean the 49ers have to draft a defensive end? Not so, according to one NFL writer.
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon named the 49ers as a trade fit for New York Giants edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the number-five pick in the 2022 draft class who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
"The 49ers need a replacement for departed veteran Leonard Floyd opposite Nick Bosa, but they might miss out on the cream of the draft crop at the No. 11 spot and may prefer to address another need like interior defensive line, offensive tackle or cornerback," Gagnon wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
"Fair compensation for Thibodeaux: Third-round pick (75th) overall, which is easy to swallow because San Francisco has another third-rounder, two fourth-rounders and two fifth-rounders."
The thought is that the Giants could trade Thibodeaux after presumably deciding to draft Penn State star Abdul Carter with the third-overall pick. Thibodeaux has never quite become the superstar many believed he could be as a draft prospect, but he's still only 24 and has an 11.5-sack season to his name in 2023.
If a third-rounder is really all it takes for San Francisco to land Thibodeaux, they should strongly consider the move.
More NFL: Bears predicted to acquire 1,200-yard receiver in massive draft night trade