Will the Jaguars Trade Their 1st Round Pick for Brandon Aiyuk?
The 49ers could give Brandon Aiyuk a massive contract extension this offseason even though they don't use him like a true No. 1 receiver, or they could trade him to a team that would feature him in their offense.
The Jaguars reportedly are interested in acquiring Aiyuk, because they don't have a go-to guy in their passing game. Plus their general manager is Trent Baalke, who hired lots of the 49ers scouts and personnel people who drafted Aiyuk. But what would the Jaguars offer the 49ers?
In 2020, the Vikings traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs and a seventh-round pick to the Bills in exchange for a first-round pick (No. 22), a fourth-round pick, a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick. That's a whole lot for Diggs, who's an excellent player, but never was a Pro Bowler or an All Pro with the Vikings.
Aiyuk was second team All Pro this past season, and he's arguably better than Diggs was when he played for Minnesota. So if Diggs was worth a first-round pick and a bunch of late picks, what's Aiyuk worth?
The Jaguars currently own pick No. 17 in the upcoming draft. If they really want Aiyuk, they should be prepared to send that first-round pick to the 49ers.
And I wouldn't be surprised if the 49ers would accept that pick for Aiyuk. Remember, the Vikings used the first-round pick they acquired in the Diggs trade to draft Justin Jefferson, who's better than Diggs. So maybe the 49ers can upgrade by trading Aiyuk as well.
Something to think about.
