What Does ‘going For Broke’ Look Like For The 49ers?

ESPN went through each team in the NFL to determine what their trade deadline goal is, who could be on the move ahead of the deadline, and which player each team should target.

The San Francisco 49ers have a 99.1% chance of making the playoffs. For the deadline portion, the theme discussed the Niners “going all in” for this season:

What is the deadline goal? Go for it. The 49ers have been hearing for years that their Super Bowl window is closing, yet they remain in the mix. This season, the Niners established it early with a winning start, but injuries along the defensive line and at receiver have made their needs obvious. They already acquired DT DeForest Buckner, but it would be a surprise if San Francisco didn’t, as OT Trent Williams told ESPN, “go for broke” with another meaningful addition (or two). — Nick Wagoner

What does going for broke look like? Giving up a first-rounder for Maxx Crosby? He’s been elite, hasn’t missed a game, and would give the Niners an embarrassing amount of riches along the defensive line. Per Sumer Sports, only Will Anderson has more impact plays than Crosby at edge rusher this season.

Going for broke means using future assets to win a chip this season. Fans, in my mind, have long overvalued draft picks. Before the season began, we were told the 2027 class is loaded with a handful of franchise quarterbacks. The college season is almost over, and none of those players have lived up to the hype.

That might encourage the 49ers, or make it easier, to part ways with their picks this season. If you’re getting a player who other teams have to game plan for, then it’s a no-brainer. If that player helps you win today and is a part of your nucleus for the next few seasons, then what’s the hold up?

No surprises for who ESPN selected as the player on the 49ers roster who could be traded over the next week:

Who could be on the move? Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Be honest. You forgot he was still there, right? A ton of issues would need to be worked out, but it’s hard to imagine he just never plays again — especially because he just hired an agent. — Graziano

Does including Aiyuk in a trade help you get a player you covet, or is all of Aiyuk’s value gone after he’s missed so much time? The 49ers getting a draft pick would feel like a win for them, but I’d use Aiyuk as a substitute for losing a potential pick, perhaps for the next player ESPN said the Niners should trade for:

Who should they target? Jets WR Adonai Mitchell. It’s no secret that the 49ers are down bad at wide receiver. Mitchell has long flashed more promise than results, though we saw that promise Sunday when he recorded seven receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. The Jets might be reluctant to part with Mitchell. But because they have Garrett Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq, it’s worth making a call. — Walder

Adonai Mitchell was my favorite wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft. I had the Niners selecting him in just about every mock draft we did. I even said Mitchell was one of the top players in that draft.

After a disappointing rookie campaign, the Colts shipped Mitchell to the Jets as part of a throw-in when they traded for Sauce Gardner. Michell has started to look the part. He missed a month, but he’s fresh off a game where he had 142 yards. Mitchell went over 60 receiving yards in the first two games. He’s a big body who can run and separate downfield.

Mitchell is a walking big play. A quarter of his receptions are explosive plays. The Jets use him in the slot a little over 26% of the time, so he can move around the formation. He’s at his best on in-breaking routes.

Best of all, he’s under contract for two more seasons and is only 24. We don’t know whether the wide receiver the 49ers drafted will ever play a full season. It might feel like the Niners are buying high after a big game, but Mitchell has always been talented.

What does going for broke look like to you? Let us know in the comments below.