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1 hour ago
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The San Francisco 49ers have the pieces, for the most part, of a championship team. But, there's always room for improvement.
The team could use a bit more beef on the defensive end. All NFL teams could, really, but if the 49ers were to improve on one end of their roster, it would certainly be defense.
Seth Walder of ESPN has released a feature with blockbuster trade options that still remain for NFL teams. Sure, it's late in the offseason for a big trade, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.
For the 49ers, he has them getting a real boost on defense by adding safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons. In this deal, the 49ers get Bates and a 2028 sixth-round pick, while the Falcons receive a 2027 third-round pick. Bates is a clutch player and currently on a four-year, $64.02 million deal with the Falcons.
49ers encouraged to trade for defensive star for 2026 season
"The Falcons' 2023 signing of Bates was an example of free agency gone right," Walder states in the piece. "The Falcons paid sticker price -- four years and $64 million -- to sign Bates, who was very effective in Cincinnati and continued that quality play in Atlanta."
Since the Falcons aren't really contenders, sorry guys, Walder says it would make more sense to trade him. Regarding being contenders, he says, "they aren't, and with a ton of 2027 cap space even after the Bijan Robinson extension, the Falcons will likely be spenders next offseason. They would risk losing Bates without getting a compensatory pick in return if he walks in free agency."
With that in mind, it makes sense for the Falcons to deal him now and get something stellar in return. The 49ers would be getting a high-caliber defensive talent just when they need it.
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