Report: Two Patriots players among 49ers’ potential trade targets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
With the 2024 NFL trade deadline less than two weeks away, the 49ers are reportedly keeping tabs on two New England Patriots players.
San Francisco has been ravaged by the injury bug this season and currently has glaring needs at both defensive tackle and wide receiver. The 49ers may target the Patriots at both spots before the Nov. 5 deadline, as well as a couple of other familiar D-line faces on other teams, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Saturday.
“I’ve been asked to keep an eye on the Patriots — who will listen to any suggestion — with stuffed interior defensive lineman Davon Godchaux and former Niners wide receiver Kendrick Bourne among potential targets,” Russini wrote. “Two former San Francisco players, defensive tackles DeForest Buckner [Colts] and DJ Jones [Broncos]”It has been discussed internally by the team’s decision makers but I do not feel that Indy or Denver are open to moving either player.”
With defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) both out for the rest of the 2024 NFL regular season, the 49ers could certainly use some help in those two areas. In addition to the team’s D-line depth issues, San Francisco has struggled at times to contain the run this season — and Godchaux is widely considered one of the best run defenders in the NFL.
On the other hand, Bourne was originally signed by 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch as an undrafted free agent in 2017 before joining the Patriots in 2021. Last offseason, as San Francisco tried to come up with a new contract or trade for Aiyuk, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the team has a trade framework with New England that would bring Bourne back to the Bay.
Bourne began the 2024 season physically unable to perform after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last October, thus missing the first four games of the season. Since his activation on October 5, Bourne has recorded four receptions for 29 yards and no touchdowns during the contests.
While both Buckner and Jones, who had successful careers with the 49ers before leaving, appear to be longshots for San Francisco to acquire at the trade deadline, according to Russini, there’s no denying that either would be a big win for the team. 3-4 looking to stay afloat in the NFC West.
Right now, the 49ers’ main focus is on beating the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football” at Levi’s Stadium in Week 8. But behind the scenes, it appears as though Lynch and Co. may be looking to make some moves.
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