49ers Linked to Free Agent WR Tyler Boyd

If the 49ers were to sign Boyd, it seems clear that he would replace Brandon Aiyuk.

This is intriguing.

The 49ers are one of a handful of teams that have expressed interest in signing free agent wide receiver Tyler Boyd, according to The Athletic. Boyd, 29, has played eight seasons with the Bengals. He's a starting wide receiver who earns between $8 million and $10 million per season. He'd be a serious investment for the 49ers.

They never would spend that much money on a no. 3 receiver, because the 49ers don't use three-receiver formations as much as other teams do. So Boyd wouldn't replace Jauan Jennings, the 49ers' current no. 3 receiver who hasn't yet signed his second-round tender. Boyd is roughly twice as expensive as Jennings.

If the 49ers were to sign Boyd, it seems clear that he would replace Brandon Aiyuk. And obviously the 49ers would prefer to keep Aiyuk, but if they can't come to an agreement on a contract extension with him, they could trade him and sign Boyd for much cheaper.

Aiyuk likely wants more than $27 million per season while Boyd most likely would sign for $10 million. And Aiyuk clearly is better and younger than Boyd, but both wide receivers average 4.3 catches per game for their career. So perhaps the 49ers feel Boyd could replace most of Aiyuk's production for a fraction of the cost.

In addition, the Bengals run an offensive system as the 49ers, so Boyd theoretically could pick up the 49ers offense quickly.

The 49ers probably won't have to sign Boyd, but it's interesting to note who their Plan B is if they can't extend Aiyuk.