Four Teams the 49ers Could Trade Brandon Aiyuk to

Should the 49ers elect to trade Aiyuk, there are four teams that they could trade him to and field a first-round pick from if not close to it.

The future of Brandon Aiyuk with the San Francisco 49ers is a bit in flux right now.

General manager John Lynch was vague in regard to trade offers for Aiyuk and didn't announce that the 49ers are picking up his fifth-year option yet. The 49ers usually have that decided by now whenever Lynch holds his pre-draft press conference. Since they didn't, there is a real possibility that Aiyuk will be gone soon. It makes sense to refrain from picking up his option and give that to the team that would be acquiring him to decide on. Otherwise, the 49ers would have just exercised it.

Should the 49ers elect to trade Aiyuk, there are four teams that they could trade him to and field a first-round pick from if not close to it. 

Houston Texans

Practically any trade scenario for any player of the 49ers will involve the Texans. It makes sense if Houston is interested and wants to acquire Aiyuk. Head coach DeMeco Ryans knows all too well how lethal Aiyuk is. I'm sure he still recalls vividly how tremendously he performed in last year's training camp. Aiyuk can step into a familiar offense with former passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik now the offensive coordinator of the Texans.

Should the Texans draft a quarterback with their No. 2 pick, then they can pair him up with an already established wide receiver. It is the same idea that the Texans had with signing Jimmie Ward to get the defense up to speed with the scheme. The 49ers could end up with the Texans' No. 33 pick in the second round. A first-round pick is likely not a possibility. Not unless the 49ers package Aiyuk with Trey Lance to Houston. Then maybe they can get their No. 12 pick in the first round. If not, then there second-round pick will be all they can get. 

Los Angeles Chargers

What better way for the Chargers to invest in Justin Herbert than to acquire Aiyuk? This is a team that the 49ers could end up receiving a first-round pick from, which is No. 21. Keenan Allen is a player who the Chargers were rumored earlier in the offseason to move off of given his age and compiling injuries. Aiyuk would act as his replacement and can take on the money that Allen would be receiving, so it would be an upgrade for the Chargers.

The two receivers are also relatively similar. Aiyuk might have more of a deep element to his game, but he and Allen are silky route-runners. The numbers Aiyuk would put up with Herbert would be phenomenal. 2023 is a "win now" season for the Chargers, so trading for Aiyuk would only boost their offense. Given how porous their defense has been, they definitely need the offensive boost, especially in a division that has Patrick Mahomes. Matching them in shootouts is a must. 

New York Giants

Trading within the NFC might not be what the 49ers care to do, but they cannot ignore a first-round offer from the Giants. They are a playoff team who could easily use a stout receiver in their ranks to aid their efforts in returning to the playoffs. What is astonishing about the Giants' playoff berth last year was that they did it with the least amount of talent of all playoff teams, especially on offense. It was just Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkeley leading the charge. 

The No. 25 pick is what the 49ers should be looking for with the Giants. Otherwise, they can kick rocks. The Giants have already traded for one receiver in the form of tight end Darren Waller. Now imagine adding Aiyuk, then suddenly they go from one sweet weapon to three. The Giants could be considering this as the offensive side of the ball is in need of some upgrades. 

Indianapolis Colts

It is likely that the Colts end up taking a quarterback with their first-round pick. However, their offense is still severely lacking in talent. Running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman are their only notable premier players. They are in need of another playmaker, especially if they draft a rookie quarterback to start. Bringing Aiyuk into the fold would be a superb help to the offense and growth of the rookie quarterback.

This might be very enticing for new head coach Shane Steichen to pull the trigger on and advocate for given his offensive background. But the Colts will have to come correct to the 49ers if they want him and offer their No. 35 overall pick. Second round picks probably aren't enough for the 49ers to let Aiyuk go, but at least the Colts are one of the first picks in that round. So, the 49ers could end up with borderline first round talent. If it isn't satisfactory, then they can always demand an extra pick in the third or fourth round, while throwing in a late round pick themselves.