The San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver room has been one of the most banged-up units in the league through the first few weeks of the 2026 season. Ricky Pearsall is out for the year after PCL surgery, De'Zhaun Stribling is out for weeks with an ankle injury, Demarcus Robinson will be sidelined, Christian Kirk has dealt with a calf strain, and Mike Evans continues to pick up nicks and bruises.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted at potential moves to add to the room, and the team already signed Brandin Cooks to the practice squad. And while there are other veterans on the open market who San Francisco could target, Shanahan has never been shy about making blockbuster trades.
The 49ers haven't indicated they're actively shopping for more help at receiver,
but it's worth examining a handful of receivers who could realistically become available — and how plausible a fit each one might actually be.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that league executives are wondering whether the Arizona Cardinals could explore trading 2024 No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. ahead of the deadline. Harrison was held without a catch in Week 2, and Arizona hasn't really tried manufacturing looks for him in the first year under Mike LaFleur. With a new coaching staff and new offense in place, and Harrison extension-eligible after this season, the Cardinals may have a hard time justifying a big-money commitment based on what he's shown so far. A change-of-scenery deal isn't out of the question.
That said, an in-division trade would be highly unusual, even with LaFleur's ties to Shanahan as his former passing game coordinator. Teams rarely help rivals they play twice a year, making Harrison Jr. one of the least likely names on this list to actually land in San Francisco.
Calvin Ridley
Calvin Ridley has fallen down Tennessee's depth chart behind Carnell Tate, Wan'Dale Robinson, Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor. It's a steep fall for a player who once posted a 1,374-yard season in Atlanta and followed it with a strong 1,016-yard comeback campaign in Jacksonville in 2023. But his production has cratered the past two years — just 303 yards in seven games in 2025, and a mere 35 yards through two games in 2026. Per Over the Cap, none of the guaranteed money remaining on Ridley's restructured deal carries past the 2026 season, meaning Tennessee has little long-term financial attachment. If the Titans decide the fit isn't working, Ridley could be had for a modest price.
Jerry Jeudy
With San Francisco's receiver room banged up, Shanahan's play-calling could be exactly what Jerry Jeudy needs to jumpstart his career. He's managed just two catches for 26 yards through two games, including a no-catch outing in Cleveland's Week 2 win over Tampa Bay. Jeudy is only two years removed from a Pro Bowl season in which he caught 90 passes for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns, and at 27, he's still in his prime. The 15th overall pick in 2020, Jeudy was traded from Denver to Cleveland in 2024 and signed a three-year, $52.5 million extension — but none of that deal's remaining guarantees carry past this season. Given his slow start and the Browns' lack of financial commitment, San Francisco could plausibly acquire Jeudy for a late Day 3 pick, a low-cost swing that would immediately add experience to Purdy's receiver room.
Brian Thomas Jr.
Brian Thomas Jr. broke out in a big way as a rookie in 2024, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl nod and a fourth-place finish in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. He hasn't come close to that since, dropping to 707 yards in 2025 and just 80 yards through two games in 2026. He's currently buried on Jacksonville's depth chart behind Jacoby Meyers and Parker Washington, has battled injuries, and — notably — wasn't drafted by the Jaguars' current regime of general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, meaning there's less institutional attachment to him than a typical former first-rounder. Still unproven as a trade candidate, but worth watching if Jacksonville's staff decides to move on.
Lil'Jordan Humphrey
An unconventional name with real NFL experience, Humphrey has bounced around New Orleans, New England, Denver and briefly New York over a seven-year career, topping out with 31 catches for 293 yards in 2024. He's currently buried on the Broncos' depth chart and hasn't recorded a target through one game in 2026. He wouldn't move the needle as a difference-maker, but he represents the kind of low-cost, experienced depth add San Francisco could make without giving up meaningful draft capital — insurance behind Cooks and Samuel while the rest of the room works its way back to health.
Garrett Wilson
This would be the big fish for Shanahan to catch. While the Jets don't appear to be shopping their star receiver, they could move on from him if the price is right. Wilson recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start his career, but his 2025 campaign was plagued by injuries and he only played in seven games. He has 11 catches for 136 yards and one touchdown in two games this year.
The crux of Wilson is twofold: The Jets are prepping to find their quarterback of the future in 2027, and may not want to part with the centerpiece of their offense. Additionally, Wilson has $24.5 million guaranteed on his contract in 2027 after signing a four-year, $130 million extension in 2025. He also carries base salaries of $26.2 million, $26.8 million and $31.5 million from 2028 to 2030, but none of those years are guaranteed.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 6 wide receivers the 49ers could target in a trade this season
