The 49ers are allegedly interested in two New England Patriots players, and the 2024 NFL trade deadline is less than two weeks away.
San Francisco has obvious needs at wide receiver and defensive line right now after being decimated by injuries this season. In addition to a few other well-known D-line players from other teams, Dianna Russini of The Athletic claimed on Saturday that the 49ers may be pursuing Patriots at both spots prior to the deadline of November 5.
“I’ve been told to keep an eye on the Patriots — who will listen to any proposal — with run-stuffing interior defensive lineman Davon Godchaux and ex-Niners wide receiver Kendrick Bourne among the possible targets,” Russini stated. “Two other former San Francisco players, defensive tackles DeForest Buckner [Colts] and D.J. Jones [Broncos], have been discussed internally by team decision-makers but I don’t get the sense Indy or Denver are open to moving either player.”
The 49ers could definitely use some assistance in those two areas, as wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and defensive lineman Javon Hargrave (triceps) are both out for the remainder of the 2024 NFL regular season. San Francisco has occasionally had trouble stopping the run this season, in addition to the team’s D-line depth concerns. Godchaux is generally considered to be among the NFL’s top run defenders.
However, before to joining the Patriots in 2021, Bourne was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017 by 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, San Francisco had the structure of a deal with New England that would bring Bourne back to the Bay over the offseason while the organization attempted to negotiate a new contract or a trade for Aiyuk.
After injuring his ACL in October of last year, Bourne was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of the 2024 season, missing the first four games of the season. Bourne has had four catches for 29 yards and no touchdowns across games since being activated on October 5.
According to Russini, Buckner and Jones, who both had prosperous 49ers careers before to their departures, are unlikely to be acquired by San Francisco at the trade deadline, but it’s certain that both would be a significant addition for a 3-4 club trying to stay afloat in the NFC West.
