The 49ers responded to a litany of injuries at two positions by striking a pair of trades this week, acquiring Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs before doing business with the Washington Commanders to land running back Brian Robinson.
While Robinson looks likely to have a slightly more significant impact than Moore, both trades will have an influence on the immediate futures of two of the 49ers’ 2025 draft picks.
Fourth-round rookie Jordan James was already behind the 8-ball in terms of his preparations
for the new season after suffering a broken finger that has kept him out of preseason.
James projected as somebody who could have an immediate impact as a rookie in terms of spelling Christian McCaffrey and keeping the run game on schedule, even if he lacks the explosiveness of 2024 draft pick Isaac Guerendo.
However, with Robinson in the frame, James can likely look forward to being no more than fourth string in his rookie season.
There are positives and negatives to being in such a position. James’ chances of developing quickly by playing regular snaps have obviously decreased, but the 49ers at least will not be in a spot where they would need to put pressure on James to step up to fill the void if McCaffrey was to go down with an injury.
Yet for seventh-round draft pick Junior Bergen, the trade for Moore could have more serious ramifications.
San Francisco drafted Bergen, who had eight punt return touchdowns in college at Montana, hoping he could transform their return game.
But, outside of one impressive return in the preseason opener with the Broncos, the 49ers have seen few flashes from Bergen either on special teams or on the touches he has received on offense.
Moore has only 494 receiving yards in his NFL career, but he has return game experience and produced a reminder of his upside in that area recently when he returned a punt 88 yards against the Seattle Seahawks in the Chiefs’ preseason opener.
Given the 49ers traded draft capital to acquire Moore, he appears a strong bet to make the initial 53. Assuming the injuries to Jauan Jennings and Jacob Cowing are not serious enough to keep them off the 53, Moore’s arrival significantly decreases the odds of Bergen making the team.
The 49ers’ return game has lacked dynamism for a long time. Bergen might have been the man to provide it, but the level of injuries the 49ers have suffered at wideout means a need for receiving experience supersedes what special teams advantage Bergen may have brought to the table.
James should retain his place on the team, but the level of injuries suffered on offense by the 49ers in recent weeks figures to cost Bergen his job.
