Two weeks ago the San Francisco 49ers were on top of the NFL. They were 5-0, coming off a 42-10 dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys on national television during Sunday Night Football. It was their fifth time scoring at least 30 points this season and fourth double-digit victory; the only game that wasn’t, the Los Angeles Rams kicked a field goal on the final play to lose by seven.
But, fast forward to the present day, and the tenor around the 49ers has changed a little. They are now riding a two-game losing streak, falling to the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings on the road.
What once looked like an unbeatable team has been mortal in their last two games. Injuries have played a part, but a chink has also developed in their armor. For the 49ers to return to the level of dominance we saw the first five weeks of the season, they need to make a move ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline next week.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports has highlighted the defensive backfield as the team’s biggest area of need. He suggested they go out and make a trade for Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson to help shore up their secondary.
A big reason Jackson would make for a good fit is that he would be able to assimilate himself more easily than most acquisitions. He has played under 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks previously, so the adjustment period shouldn’t take too long.
“The Carolina Panthers are 0-6 heading into Week 8 and will most likely be one of the main sellers at the deadline, so cornerback Donte Jackson could be a realistic option. The 27-year-old played under (Wilks) for the last two seasons, so there will be familiarity with his overall defensive system. Over that stretch under Wilks, Jackson posted four interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 21 regular-season games.
“Jackson is also under team control through the 2024 season, but there is a potential out of his contract with palatable salary cap implications.”
After seeing what Kirk Cousins did to the 49ers’ defense on Monday Night Football, without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the lineup, general manager John Lynch is assuredly scouring the league for help. The rebuilding Panthers can provide him with some as Jackson would be a nice upgrade for their secondary and won’t break the bank in terms of cost.
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