Report: Two Patriots players among possible 49ers trade targets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
With the 2024 NFL trade deadline less than two weeks away, the 49ers have reportedly set their sights on two New England Patriots players.
San Francisco has been plagued by the injury bug this season and currently has major needs at both defensive tackle and wide receiver. Dianna Russini of the Athletic reported Saturday that the 49ers may target Patriots at both positions before the Nov. 5 deadline, as well as a few other familiar D-line faces from other teams.
“I have been told to keep an eye on the Patriots – who will listen to any offer – with rushing defensive lineman Davon Godchaux and ex-Niners wide receiver Kendrick Bourne as possible targets,” Russini wrote. “Two other former San Francisco players, defensive tackles DeForest Buckner [Colts] and DJ Jones [Broncos]have been discussed internally by team decision makers, but I do not feel that Indy or Denver are open to moving either player.”
With defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) both out for the remainder of the 2024 NFL regular season, the 49ers could certainly use some help in these two areas. In addition to the team’s D-line depth issues, San Francisco has struggled to control the run at times this season — and Godchaux is widely considered one of the NFL’s top-performing defenders.
Bourne, on the other hand, was originally signed by 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch as an undrafted free agent in 2017 before joining the Patriots in 2021. Last season, as San Francisco attempted to work out a new contract work or a trade for Aiyuk, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the team had the framework in place for a trade with New England that would send Bourne back to the Bay Area.
Bourne entered the 2024 season on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL last October and missing the first four games of the season. Since Bourne was activated on Oct. 5, he has recorded four receptions for 29 yards and no touchdowns through games.
While both Buckner and Jones, who had successful careers with the 49ers before their departures, appear to be long odds for San Francisco to acquire at the trade deadline, according to Russini, there’s no denying that either would be a huge gain for a 3-4 team looking to stay afloat in the NFC West.
For now, the 49ers’ main focus is on beating the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football” at Levi’s Stadium in Week 8. But behind the scenes, it appears that Lynch and Co. looking for some actions.
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