The San Francisco 49ers roster has its fair share of question marks, but they have some depth at some positions they could try and move between now and the end of training camp. This team can’t exactly be super picky about certain aspects of the roster, but with some of the depth chart competitions, a trade or two for late draft picks would not exactly be shocking.
On Tuesday, Jason LaCanfora tweeted that several teams are on the lookout for tight ends, and the Philadelphia Eagles are looking to acquire an inside linebacker. Those happen to be two positions where the 49ers have extra bodies they could decide to try and move. Considering they moved a guy like Asante Cleveland, I would say not much is off the table.
Inside linebacker
LaCanfora can be tough to figure out with his rumors, but our friends at Bleeding Green Nation think the report is believable. Jordan Hicks is the Eagles middle linebacker, but BGN mentions he is injury prone. The team has been negotiating with free agent Stephen Tulloch, but nothing has come of that.
The 49ers will start NaVorro Bowman at one ILB spot, and then one of Gerald Hodges, Michael Wilhoite, or Ray-Ray Armstrong on the other side. Wilhoite has started at ILB most of the last two years, first for Bowman in 2014, and then replacing Willis most of last season. Hodges took over when Wilhoite suffered a high ankle sprain. The team claimed Armstrong off waivers late last season, but he played only on special teams.
Hodges has the highest draft pedigree, while Wilhoite has the most consistent recent experience. If the 49ers think Hodges is the guys, could they get a seventh for Wilhoite? These guys are talented, but not the kind of tremendous value that is going to offer much in return. And the Eagles have a starter already, so I can’t imagine they would want to give up much in a trade.
Tight end
The 49ers have a whole mess of tight ends right now. The depth chart currently includes Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Bruce Miller, Blake Bell, Je’Ron Hamm, and Busta Anderson. They’ll likely keep four of that group at most. Again, there’s not a lot to be gotten for that group, but maybe they find someone who sees some value. I could see them dealing one of these guys at some point just to clear space. They traded Asante Cleveland to the New England Patriots for Jordan Devey, so anything is possible. Let’s just hope it’s not a Devey type of player.