49ers Proposed Blockbuster Trade Secures 3-Time All-Pro Wide Receiver
Amid uncertainty regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the San Francisco 49ers might aim to acquire three-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. Like Aiyuk, Jefferson is seeking a bigger contract and did not attend the start of organized team activities. Andrew Hughes from USA Today’s Vikings Wire suggested a hypothetical trade where the 49ers could get Jefferson by only giving up veteran wideout Jauan Jennings.
This trade would allow the 49ers to have an elite trio of Jefferson, Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel at least for the 2024 season. Hughes proposed that the 49ers could trade their 2025 first and second-round draft picks, a 2026 second-round pick, and Jennings to the Vikings for Jefferson.
If the hypothetical trade went through, Justin Jefferson would join a Super Bowl contender at age 24 and work with quarterback Brock Purdy before the 49ers have to commit to a substantial contract for their starting QB. Jefferson would provide Purdy and the 49ers offense with an elite receiving threat for both short yardage and vertical passing plays.
Over four seasons, Jefferson has averaged 15 yards per reception with 392 catches, 5,899 yards, and 30 touchdowns. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022, second-team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and Pro Bowl honors three times from 2020 to 2022.
Justin Jefferson Would Excellently Replace Any Potential Gap Left by Brandon Aiyuk.
If the 49ers are forced to trade away last season’s top receiver, he would more than adequately fill the void left by Aiyuk. Aiyuk currently has a fifth-year extension valued at $14.12 million, but he could potentially command an annual salary of $26.5 million according to Spotrac.
