All teams serious about making a Super Bowl run made sure to take advantage of the trade deadline, and the San Francisco 49ers addressed their concerns.
The 49ers have a 7-1 record through Week 9 without a fully healthy roster. All throughout the season, they've missed multiple starters and key players. The most impacted positions were defensive line and wide receiver.
There was a clear focus at the trade deadline and the Niners addressed it in two separate trades with the Indianapolis Colts, bringing former 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and ex-Cal wide receiver Keenan Allen back to the Bay Area.
San Francisco faced a number of injuries to their receiving core: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., De'Zhaun Stribling, Ricky Pearsall and Christian
Kirk. The good news for the 49ers is Samuel trending in the right direction. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that he expects to have Samuel back at practice on Wednesday.
Injuries also plagued a number of defensive linemen, including rookie Gracen Halton, who dislocated his ankle in a Nov. 8 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was placed on IR, the team announced Tuesday.
Other injuries on the D-line included Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, Sam Okuayinonu, CJ West, Mikail Kamara and Andrew Farmer II. Bosa returned against the Raiders after missing time with a knee and calf injury. Shanahan said he also expects West back at practice.
Allen and Buckner come in as immediate plug-ins to help solve San Francisco's health issues as the team as players look to make their eventual return to the gridiron.
The 49ers earn an overall trade grade of a "B" for their moves.
NFL trade grades: NFL trade deadline grades reveal which team won every major deal
49ers trade deadline winners and loser
The 49ers made only two moves, same team, different days. Their first trade was for Buckner on Oct. 27, then moments before the trade deadline, the circled back to the Colts and dealt for Allen.
Winners:
Return of DeForest Buckner
The 49ers' trade return has been to their benefit early on. Defensively, San Francisco wanted to get into the backfield more often, fill gaps and pressure quarterbacks. Although only two trades were made, the Niners still made it worth their while.
Bringing back Buckner from the Colts added to the defense's continuity led by Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Bosa. Buckner's presence had an immediate impact in his first game was against the Raiders, although he didn't register a sack and had just one tackle.
"I thought we hit the quarterback a lot. I thought we also rushed really well in some key situations," Shanahan said on Monday. "Buckner got him on the ground a number of times. [DL] Keion [White] got him on the ground a couple times. [Las Vegas Raiders QB] Kirk's [Cousins] pretty good at getting rid of the ball when we do beat someone, but I thought our pass rush and the pressure on the quarterback, I thought we had a good game in that manner.”
49ers add depth, bring vet to WR room
Allen was brought back to California. He started his NFL career in 2013 with the then-San Diego Chargers, spending the first 10 years of his NFL career with that team and earning six Pro Bowl selections. Allen made a name for himself as a possession receiver who was an exquisite in route runner.
He's added to a wide receiver room that will eventually get back Evans and Samuel. Scary.
The 49ers have been hanging on with the healthy receivers they have such as Jordan Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and recently signed vet Brandin Cooks. They've been holding it down while their stars get back.
“I think [Cooks] has been effective. I think we went to him twice yesterday and [QB] Brock [Purdy] got to him twice and made both of those plays. He's been doing like everyone else," Shanahan said. "I think he doesn't have many busts. I think he's getting used to the offense and being a part of the group and I think all those guys have, there's not really one guy ahead of the other too much."
While Purdy has missed his much-anticipated target in Evans, it's created more anonymity in the 49ers offense.
"You never know where the ball is going to go," Shanahan said. "I think Jordan Watkins has been playing real well and he got more opportunities yesterday. His touchdown pass, he was fourth in the progression on that play. Brock went all the way across the board and got it to him and he made the play. There were other plays he was first in the progression and it's no different for Brandin Cooks and any of the other guys.
"It was no different for [WR Demarcus Robinson] D-Rob in the game," he added. "But I've been real happy with Brandin and how he's been blocking. When the ball's come his way, I think he's done a good job making the plays for the most part."
Losers:
Missing out on Josh Downs
A week ago when looking at potential trade targets for the 49ers, a heavy suggestion was to revisit the Colts, since they already made a deal for Buckner, and ask for another player. This time a wide receiver.
The 49ers did that, but they didn't get the expected guy. No shade whatsoever to Allen, because it's still a great pickup. However, a 25-year-old slot receiver in Josh Downs went to the Kansas City Chiefs. Featuring similar stats to Allen, Downs piled up 33 receptions for 354 yards and a touchdown through nine games. He averaged 10.7 yards per catch.
Nothing in return for Brandon Aiyuk
When it's all said and done, the Niners still have Brandon Aiyuk following his reinstatement by the NFL. San Francisco was given an additional two weeks to determine how they would proceed with his contract, whether to trade, keep or release Aiyuk. The Niners' two-week exemption ends on Nov. 23.
The trade deadline passed. So, there goes that idea. The 49ers could keep Aiyuk, if they wanted to use him still.
Shanahan has more than blatantly indicated that he does not expect Aiyuk to be a part of the team. Therefore, the next option would be to release him.
Aiyuk's agent Drew Rosenhaus said on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he expects Aiyuk to compete on some team upon his eventual release from the 49ers.
"Brandon will either play for the 49ers when the two weeks is up, or they can decide to release him, by which he will be a free agent, and I expect that there will be interest in him," Rosenhaus said. "I definitely expect him to play this season. Judging the comments from coach Shanahan, it doesn’t sound like they plan on bringing Brandon back."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers trade deadline grade reveals winners and losers from deals
