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Earlier Monday, we heard a report that the San Francisco 49ers are close to releasing cornerback Carlos Rogers. The 49ers have not made the move yet, but if they elect to release Rogers, it creates a hole in the secondary that could widen if the team cannot re-sign Tarell Brown. However, there is an intriguing option that is available via trade, and could be available as a free agent by Wednesday.
Short of a trade in the next two days, the Buccaneers are expected to release CB Darrelle Revis by 4 p.m. Wednesday, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
Normally I'd be quick to shoot down the idea of Revis to the 49ers, but in light of him possibly getting released by Wednesday, why not at least entertain the notion? Mike Sando had the tweet that put me over the top:
Fantasy football: imagine if 49ers added Revis 20 yrs after Deion helped them win title as one-year rental.
— Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@SandoESPN) March 11, 2014
This 49ers team is obviously not as stacked as that Super Bowl squad, but it's a damn good team. They are one of the top three or four teams in the league, and among the early Super Bowl favorites. It's safe to say that if they could add Darrelle Revis to the secondary, they'd be in position to put this defense even further over the top.
I actually don't expect this to happen, but once in a while it's fun to consider things from more of a fantasy angle. I think the smarter play remains to find top shelf talent in the draft, and build in that manner. The 49ers have the assets to move up just about as high as they might need to get someone like Justin Gilbert. He probably would not have the same Year 1 impact of a Darrelle Revis, but he has the upside to be solid right off the bat, he would be cost effective for four years, and he could help further secure the secondary for the future.
That doesn't mean we still can't at least dream a little bit about the idea of Darrelle Revis in red and gold. We know Revis has at least thought about it in the past (2013 - h/t Dylan DeSimone).