The NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and the San Francisco 49ers are positioned to be buyers, sitting at 5-3 with a couple of key needs following some injuries.

The 49ers are lacking some pass rush juice after losing Nick Bosa for the season and recently losing Bryce Huff to a hamstring injury for a few weeks. They also lost star linebacker Fred Warner, prompting them to rely on second-year players Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters at the position.

Then comes their constant injuries at wide receiver, where the 49ers have struggled to have a healthy unit all year long. Safe to say, there are a couple of areas that the 49ers could improve at the deadline.

However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 49ers elect to make only one move, as they do have a younger core they’re looking to develop, while also not wanting to mortgage the future, as they could make a big push in 2026.

So, who are some realistic trade candidates for the 49ers at the deadline? ESPN recently released an article on the top 25 trade candidates at the deadline this year, citing the chances they get traded as well as the team fits for the players. Let’s see who could be possible options for San Francisco.

Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson

There has been quite a bit of buzz around the 49ers showing interest in Hendrickson, and he’d definitely be a boost to the team’s pass rush. But, it’s looking like Cincinnati won’t move him as they try to make a push for the playoffs in the AFC North.

“Hendrickson would be far and away the most attractive trade target if Cincinnati entertains a deal,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. “However, a team source told ESPN, as reported Oct. 14, that the Bengals have no plans to trade the former All-Pro. The interest will be there regardless, and San Francisco in particular considers Hendrickson an ideal fit. The Bengals’ record is 3-4 and the team is in the thick of the AFC North race, all the more reason to keep its best defensive player.”

The 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Indianapolis Colts were seen as the ideal fits for Hendrickson, but Fowler and ESPN’s Matt Bowen gave only a 20 percent chance he’d be dealt.

New Orleans Saints WR Rashid Shaheed

The Saints are 1-7, and there has been buzz surrounding both of their top wide receivers, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Olave is the better player and was even considered an ideal fit for the 49ers, but Shaheed would probably be cheaper, considering he’s on an expiring deal.

If the 49ers want to bolster their injured receiving core with a deep threat, Shaheed provides exactly that as a rental. That doesn’t muddy up the cap for San Francisco in the future, and they may even receive a compensatory pick if Shaheed gets a good deal in free agency.

The only question here is the cost.

Miami Dolphins EDGE Jaelen Phillips

Going back to the pass-rush need, Jaelen Phillips could be an option for the 49ers. Both he and Bradley Chubb have been floated in trade rumors, according to Fowler, and his length off the edge would be appealing for Kris Kocurek.

“Phillips and teammate Bradley Chubb have circulated in trade rumors,” Fowler wrote. “Multiple teams I spoke with believe that Phillips would hold more value than Chubb due to upside. A string of injuries stalled his rising star status, but he’s working his way back. But there’s this: Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said last week that any Dolphins trade rumors are ‘baseless, currently.’”

The Dolphins are not getting any better, so they could unload both Chubb and Phillips. The 49ers could show interest in either, but Phillips is the better player.

Cincinnati Bengals LB Logan Wilson

Wilson was recently benched for rookie Barrett Carter, so he could be available on the open market, even if the Bengals don’t want to be sellers.

Wilson has a $5.4 million salary this year and $6 and $6.65 million salaries for next two years, but neither is guaranteed so the 49ers will have some flexibility if they acquire him.

“The Bengals are going younger at linebacker, relegating Wilson to a reserve role in favor of rookie Barrett Carter despite Wilson’s status as a team captain,” Fowler wrote. “Teams I’ve talked to believe Cincinnati is open to dealing Wilson, whose base salary is $5.4 million this season. Next year, Wilson has a base of $6 million.”

The 49ers were listed as a team fit, as well as the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and Indianapolis Colts.

Tennessee Titans EDGE Arden Key

A familiar face for the 49ers would be Arden Key, who had success as an outside/inside pass-rusher for the 49ers in 2021 when he had 6.5 sacks.

He’d be a realistic target and a potential trade candidate for a reeling Titans team that should be sellers at the deadline. Tennessee already moved off cornerback Roger McCreary and Key would definitely be a fit for the 49ers.

He’s a free agent at the end of the year, so the price shouldn’t be too high (late round pick swap?) and it keeps the 49ers’ books clean next year.