Proposed Blockbuster Trade Lands 49ers Bounty for Brandon Aiyuk
The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s recent trade request amid a contract deadlock. However, they could potentially benefit from a suggested three-team trade.
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report proposed that the 49ers trade Aiyuk to the New England Patriots in a deal that also involves the Atlanta Falcons. In this scenario, San Francisco would receive Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes, the Patriots’ 2025 first-round pick, and a third-round pick from the Falcons. The Falcons, in return, would acquire Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon.
How the 49ers Benefit From the Proposed 3-Team Deal
Despite Aiyuk’s trade request, the 49ers have maintained that they do not wish to trade him. Aiyuk, who has been vocal about wanting a new contract, mentioned on “The Pivot Podcast” that he could see himself playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers or Washington Commanders. However, according to Knox, the 49ers could get a better return from a deal with the Patriots and Falcons.
In Knox’s proposal, the 49ers would trade Aiyuk to the Patriots in exchange for a first-round pick. Including Judon, who is in the final year of his contract, might not be very appealing to the 49ers, as they already have Nick Bosa and recently signed Leonard Floyd.
Getting the Falcons involved would make the trade more attractive. The Falcons, in need of a quality pass rusher, would benefit from acquiring Judon. They could also send a third-round pick and cornerback Mike Hughes to San Francisco. Hughes, a first-round pick in 2018, played well in coverage last season and would add valuable depth to the 49ers’ secondary, which struggled against top quarterbacks in 2023.
Replacing Brandon Aiyuk in the 2025 Draft
In addition to Hughes, the 49ers would likely receive a high draft pick in 2025 from the Patriots, who are expected to finish near the bottom of the league standings. This pick could help San Francisco strengthen their wide receiver lineup in 2025.
Missouri’s Luther Burden III is a projected top-10 pick and could be a potential target for the 49ers. Burden has had an impressive college career, making him a desirable prospect. Other wide receivers to watch in the draft include Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka.
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