Projecting trades for the San Francisco 49ers isn’t easy. You’re either banking on an injury or one of their starters failing to live up to expectations. There are spots where the Niners could stand to upgrade. But how often do we see left guards traded in the middle of the season?
The idea of the 49ers making another trade at some point ahead of the deadline in the regular season comes after the Los Angeles Rams acquired the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Making a move for the sake of making one
is all but guaranteed to backfire.
We’re going to focus on the secondary and three players entering the final year of their contract who could be upgrades for the 49ers, starting with the obvious.
S Jessie Bates
Bates enters the final season of his contract. Depending on when a trade would take place, the Falcons would end up saving roughly $4 million by moving on from Bates.
The better question would be why would Atlanta move on from an All-Pro caliber player? And if they are willing to part ways, assuming the 49ers would be the only team interested is a dangerous game to play. Bates is talented enough that there could be a bidding war over him.
Bates hasn’t missed a game in three seasons for the Falcons. Last year may have been his “worst” season, but that might say more about the year the Falcons had than Bates, who just turned 29 in February.
Bates would give the 49ers a true free safety. It would also allow Malik Mustapha to do what he does best and live around the line of scrimmage while being a heat-seeking missile against the run. And if anybody knows how to use Bates, it’s Raheem Morris.
There is no “old head” in the secondary to bestow knowledge on a young and green secondary like Richard Sherman or Tashaun Gipson. Bates could be that person in the locker room and give the safety room a much-needed ballhawk.
CB Mike Jackson Sr.
Watching Mike Evans go against top cornerbacks like Derek Stingley and Sauce Gardner makes you appreciate how much of an impact Evans will have. I’d argue the player who fared the best against him was cornerback Mike Jackson.
One of Jackson’s interceptions came last season against the 49ers. He was targeted four times that game, only allowing two receptions for 14 yards. He also had four tackles. If anybody knows how talented of a player he is, it’s San Francisco.
Jackson, who just turned 29 in January, is in the final season of his deal with Carolina. He should be on every playoff team’s radar. Because if the Panthers bottom out with Bryce Young, Jackson could end up being a game-changer.
He’s not this under-the-radar player. Jackson is closer to great than good. He allowed a 48.1% completion percentage on 79 targets last season. He had four interceptions and 14 pass breakups, along with six tackles for loss. Jackson was one of the only cornerbacks with the size (6’1″, 210 pounds) to hold his own against Evans. He was aggressive but also sound. Jackson is plenty fast, but also a willing run defender.
This move would happen if the 49ers aren’t sold on the future of Deommodore Lenoir or Renardo Green. Jackson is better than both. He’s arguably a top-10 cornerback in the league. It’d likely be a rental, but Jackson would be worth it if the 49ers feel the need to upgrade at cornerback.
S Antonio Johnson
Johnson will turn 25 in October. He enters the final year of his rookie contract. Johnson was a fifth-round pick out of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started nine games last season for the Jaguars and eight the season prior.
Johnson lined up at free safety on 386 of his 617 snaps last season. He moved down in the box on 112 snaps and played in the slot for 82 snaps. That’s what you want to see—somebody with the versatility to play and excel at multiple positions.
Johnson plays like who the 49ers thought they were getting with Ji’Ayir Brown out of Penn State. He’s not going to wow you with his athleticism, but Johnson is in the right place at the right time, and that’s how he’s constantly making plays.
Johnson had the kind of ball-production you’d want from a safety. He had five pass breakups and five interceptions — four of those came in the fourth quarter. His average depth of tackle was 2.9 yards. Which, for a free safety, is impressive.
The best thing about Johnson’s game, and something you must have on the back end, is his ability to finish plays and wrap up. Johnson only missed six tackles last season, good enough for 10.3%. That’s Jimmie Ward range. When the 49ers were at their best, even when they were giving up big plays here and there, the safeties would make a tackle, and they could live for another down.
Jacksonville drafted a safety in the third round in 2025 and 2026, making Johnson expendable. Even if they hold onto him this season, he’ll be an option for the 49ers in free agency next year. He has many Jaquaski Tartt-esque qualities.
