San Francisco’s wide receiver room has turned into a triage unit, and it’s only Week 3.
Rookie De’Zhaun Stribling could miss up to 10 weeks with an ankle injury. Demarcus Robinson went down with a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 that could sideline him for an extended stretch. Ricky Pearsall is already out for the year following knee surgery. Christian Kirk is still on injured reserve with a calf strain. And now Mike Evans, the 49ers‘ big free-agent addition, left Sunday’s win with a hip injury.
It’s not a new problem for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. And the remaining stars, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, have both battled injuries of their own in recent seasons. But this year the position has no cushion left. Beyond Evans and Samuel, the depth chart thins out fast, with unproven names like Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins next in line.
That’s why Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton floated a name worth San Francisco’s attention this week: Cleveland Browns wideout Jerry Jeudy.
With a laundry list of injuries at wideout, the 49ers need a long-term fit at the position. Play-calling head coach Kyle Shanahan may be able to resurrect Jerry Jeudy’s career.
Over the offseason, general manager Andrew Berry called Jeudy the “bell cow” of the Browns’ receiver corps, but the seventh-year pro has just two catches for 26 yards in two games. Jeudy didn’t record a reception in the Browns’ 23-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
Jeudy is only two years removed from a Pro Bowl year in which he caught 90 passes for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns. Still in his prime, the 27-year-old can be an asset to the 49ers’ injury-riddled receiver unit.
Jeudy was the 15th overall pick out of Alabama in 2020, taken by the Denver Broncos, before being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2024 for a fifth- and sixth-round pick. He signed a three-year, $52.5 million extension with the Browns that same month but, per Over the Cap, none of that deal’s remaining guarantees are left on the books after the 2206 season.
Given his sluggish start and the Browns’ lack of financial attachment, San Francisco could plausibly pry Jeudy loose for a late Day 3 pick — a low-cost swing at a talented receiver who might simply need a scheme change. He would immediately shore up the reciever room for Brock Purdy and give the 49ers offense a little bit more experience as they wait for the rest of the group to get healthier.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Analyst suggest 49ers trade for former 1st-round WR
