NFL Insider Speculates 49ers Could Trade Brandon Aiyuk Amidst Deep Draft Class Buzz

After the trade that shook the football world, with Stefon Diggs moving from the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans, speculation has arisen about the potential future of San Francisco 49ers standout Brandon Aiyuk.

There is currently a deadlock in contract negotiations between Aiyuk and the 49ers.

If an agreement is not reached in the near future, there is a chance that San Francisco may consider trading the 26-year-old wide receiver before the 2024 NFL Draft, as suggested by a league executive.

In accordance with an anonymous NFL executive, Aiyuk plays a crucial role in their team’s strategy, even more so than Deebo Samuel. 

The executive suggests that it would be wise to negotiate a deal with Aiyuk sooner rather than later, to avoid the possibility of higher prices set by receivers like Justin Jefferson. 

Given the abundance of talented receivers in this draft, there is a possibility that they might attempt to approach it from a different angle. 

If there is something that can be accomplished from a draft standpoint, then it might involve considering the possibility of moving Aiyuk or recognizing the urgency to extend his contract.

49ers Prioritize Aiyuk Contract over Vikings’ Jefferson

To the executive’s point, the 49ers should complete Aiyuk’s agreement before Minnesota does Jefferson’s. 

Spotrac forecasts his market value at $29.4 million each season, putting him right behind Miami’s Tyreek Hill ($30 million per year) as the NFL’s second-highest paid wide receiver.

Aiyuk’s market worth is roughly $24 million per season, tying him with Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf and Diggs for the fifth-highest paid receiver, although that figure could rise depending on what Minnesota pays Jefferson.

The 49ers now have only $6.7 million in cap space, so extending Aiyuk presents some issues. That is why selling him (when his trade value is at its highest) and drafting his replacement would be financially advantageous for San Francisco.

Loaded Receiver Class in 2024 Draft: Options for 49ers

The 2024 draft class is stacked at receiver, with up to ten players who might go in the first round. While finding a rookie who can do everything Aiyuk does is nearly impossible, some wideouts, such as LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., South Carolina’s Xavier Legette, and Texas’ Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, fit the 49ers’ offensive scheme and could make seamless transitions.

All alternatives are certainly on the table, but the 49ers have made it clear that they want to keep Aiyuk for the long term.