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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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With the impending split between the San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the team has a desperate need for a new No. 1 pass-catcher.
San Francisco employed a wide receiver-by-committee in 2025, led by star running back Christian McCaffrey, who logged 102 catches on 129 targets for 924 yards and seven touchdowns.
Behind McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings (55 receptions, 643 yards, nine touchdowns), Kendrick Bourne (37 receptions, 551 yards), Ricky Pearsall (36 receptions, 528 yards), and Demarcus Robinson (22 receptions, 276 yards, one touchdown) all tried to make up for the production lost with Aiyuk missing the entire season while recovering from ACL and MCL injuries and Deebo Samuel traded to the Washington Commanders during the offseason.
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With Aiyuk expected to be released in the coming weeks, and Jennings likely opting to hit the free-agent market, there’s a glaring hole at the top of the team’s WR depth chart, which is why Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard believes the team should go all-in on trading for Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson.
“So they can try to validate all of this by flying to the top of the potential trade market and making the Vikings an offer they might not be able to refuse for multiple-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson to top off a true Super Bowl-level roster," Kawakami wrote. "Yes, Justin Jefferson. It’s not out of the question.”
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Kawakami also stated he believes the 49ers could cobble together a trade package of at least two first-round picks plus more to pry Jefferson away from a team that he may want to leave anyway to avoid wasting his prime years toiling through J.J. McCarthy’s growing pains.
“Right now, the 49ers have the gravity to try to bend everything their way in this situation,” Kawakami continued. “… Jefferson and Christian McCaffrey probably are the two ideal playmaking fits for a Shanahan offense, and that’s enough to wonder how many first-round picks the 49ers should offer for Jefferson. I’d say at least two.
“Jefferson would be the most dangerous WR Shanahan has had since he was running Atlanta’s offense in 2016 and Julio Jones helped that team get to the Super Bowl.”
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