The previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers exposed some weaknesses in Sunday's upset loss to the Atlanta Falcons. While players returning from injury in the coming weeks should help, San Francisco Standard writer Tim Kawakami believes general manager John Lynch could make multiple trades before the NFL trade deadline to bolster the roster for a deep playoff run.
"I've been guessing for a while that Shanahan and Lynch are motivated to try to add some finishing pieces for a Super Bowl run," Kawakami recently wrote. "At the bye week, with the Nov. 10 trade deadline coming up quickly, I think it's almost guaranteed that they'll make two or three trades."
Could one of those moves be a blockbuster deal rather than simply adding depth at key positions? Kawakami believes star pass rusher Maxx Crosby remains a realistic possibility.
"Even when the Raiders were 3-0, I've mentioned Maxx Crosby as an option," Kawakami wrote. "Now with the Raiders at 3-4 … I think he's a very real option, if Mark Davis can even consider trading him to the 49ers."
Kawakami also identified Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner as a potential target—at the right price. The Colts' asking price remains unclear, but Buckner has expressed frustration with the team's continued struggles in recent weeks.
"Sure, he's perfect to add to the defensive-tackle rotation if the Colts will trade him for a middle-round pick," Kawakami noted.
The 49ers clearly need pass-rushing help. Their defense generated just three pressures in Sunday's loss to the Falcons, a season low. For context, San Francisco's previous single-game low this season was 14 pressures, recorded in Weeks 1 and 3. The team's lowest total in any game last season was five, in Week 4.
Defensive end Nick Bosa is expected to return after the bye week, which should boost the pass rush. However, the 49ers may need additional reinforcements to address their struggles in the trenches and strengthen their chances of making a deep postseason run.
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