NFL Analysis Network

This Vikings-49ers Trade Sends Za’Darius Smith To San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers fell just short of advancing to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years to have a rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs. Injuries to Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson rendered the offense immobile and the team fell apart in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Heading into the 2023 offseason the 49ers have a major question mark at the quarterback position. It is anyone’s guess right now when Purdy may be able to return to the lineup, which could force Trey Lance back into the starting lineup. Lance was injured in Week 2 and didn’t return to the field while Jimmy Garoppolo, who was also injured, is heading to free agency.

It would not be surprising if the 49ers signed a veteran this offseason, especially if Purdy won’t be ready for training camp. But, another underlying need for the team is in the pass-rushing department defensively.

With reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa on the team, a pass rusher isn’t the first thing that would come to mind as a need for San Francisco. However, outside of him, the pass rush wasn’t too imposing.

Bosa was responsible for 18.5 out of the 44 sacks that the 49ers racked up in 2022. To make matters worse, 12.5 more of the team’s sacks are set to hit free agency in Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, Jordan Willis and Kerry Hyder Jr.

2022 second-round pick Drake Jackson should be in line for a larger role in 2023, but it wouldn’t hurt for the 49ers to add another established veteran opposite of Bosa. If that is the route that they take, Za’Darius Smith makes for a dream trade target.

Needing to slash salary this offseason, there is a chance that Smith is made available by the Minnesota Vikings. Trading him before June 1st would save the team $13.7 million in cap space, which would be useful as they are $21.3 million over the cap.

San Francisco doesn’t have much cap space to work with either, but Smith is worth shuffling some things around. He had a huge bounceback in 2022, picking up 10 sacks and 37 quarterback pressures after missing all but 1 game in 2021.

A suggested asking price could be one or two third-round picks as the 49ers can take advantage of the Vikings’ need to create cap space. San Francisco has three third-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft because Robert Saleh, Martin Mahew, Mike McDaniel and Ran Carthon were hired by other franchises.

Share on Facebook
Share On Twitter

Darkhorse AFC Team Named As Fit For Bears’ Justin Fields

The Chicago Bears are expected to trade quarterback Justin Fields this offseason, as they own the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and

Vikings Land New Franchise QB In Recent Mock Draft

The Minnesota Vikings could be in the market for a new franchise quarterback this offseason. Veteran Kirk Cousins is set to hit the free agent

Caleb Williams Does Not Hold Back On The Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams, the former USC quarterback and the player many believe the Chicago Bears will take with the No. 1 overall pick, opted out of