The San Francisco 49ers have had a strong start to the 2023 NFL season. As the trade deadline approaches, the team is looking to make some moves to strengthen their roster and make a push for the playoffs. In this article, we will discuss three early trade candidates for the 49ers and why they would be good targets.

Of course, the 49ers do not plan to trade away their top-tier talent before the 2023 NFL trade deadline. To put it simply, teams with Super Bowl aspirations usually make efforts to acquire more talent rather than letting it go.

However, defying conventional thinking, what if General Manager John Lynch decided to trade less essential players from the Niners' 53-man roster? In certain cases, players who are lower down the depth chart might have value in terms of NFL Draft picks. Even if the returns are not substantial, amassing mid- or late-round selections can be advantageous in various ways.

While Lynch has kept quiet about any potential moves, some players could be considered as trade assets.

The San Francisco 49ers' season so far

The 49ers have had a solid start to the 2023 NFL season, with a 5-2 record. That said, they've lost back-to-back games to the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings. Of course, they have been led by their defense, which has been one of the best in the league. The 49ers have allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL, with an average of just 15.6. They have also been strong against the run, allowing just 79.3 rushing yards per game, which is the third-best mark in the league. Overall, the Niners have allowed just under 303 total yards per game, which is among the league's top 10.

Offensively, the 49ers have been led by quarterback Brock Purdy, who has thrown for over 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns. Running back Christian McCaffrey has been a key contributor as well, rushing for just under 600 yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games. The 49ers have also had to deal with some injury issues, including wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Danny Gray.

Here we will look at the three players who are considered early San Francisco 49ers trade candidates before the 2023 NFL deadline.

Elijah Mitchell

Christian McCaffrey is the unquestionable RB1 in San Francisco. Of course, one caveat is that he's had a checkered injury history. This almost necessitates the 49ers retaining third-year running back Elijah Mitchell as a form of insurance. It's worth noting that Mitchell has had his fair share of injuries over his career, including a knee problem earlier this season.

However, Mitchell possesses exceptional speed, and when he's in good health, he proves to be an effective rusher. In fact, he set a franchise record for the most rushing yards in a rookie season (963) back in 2021.

Currently, McCaffrey is already handling a significant workload with 125 carries in the first seven weeks, whereas Mitchell has only had 19. Given the successful performance of second-year running back Jordan Mason as a backup, it might be worthwhile to explore whether there's a trade market for Mitchell.

The return on such a trade may not be substantial. That said, if the 49ers want to employ a one-two punch of McCaffrey and Mason while also giving more opportunities to fellow running back Tyrion Davis-Price, moving Mitchell could be a reasonable option.

Danny Gray

Currently, second-year wide receiver Danny Gray is on injured reserve due to an injury. He would need to recover and be activated on the roster before any trade discussions could take place. Nonetheless, there isn't much room for him on San Francisco's depth chart.

With Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings leading the way, the 49ers seem to be content with Ronnie Bell and Ray-Ray McCloud as the top five receivers. They can also supplement their depth with practice squad players like Willie Snead IV and Chris Conley.

Keep in mind that Gray was initially drafted to be the deep threat for quarterback Trey Lance, who is now with the Dallas Cowboys. As such, the 49ers should at least consider making him available for trade at the deadline. Of course, this is if Gray, a former third-round pick, is no longer required to stretch the field in the passing game.

Donte Jackson

Cornerback Donte Jackson has been a dependable contributor for the Carolina Panthers this season. However, he could also be an attractive trade asset for the team. As such, San Francisco could be an interesting landing spot for him.

Jackson is entering the final year of his contract and may command a significant price in free agency. With depth at the cornerback position, the Panthers could potentially acquire draft picks. They may even address other areas of need by trading Jackson.

As for the Niners, this potential acquisition makes a ton of sense. Keep in mind that Ambry Thomas continues to see playing time as the No. 3 cornerback. It's reminiscent of what he did when Deommodore Lenoir had to briefly exit a game in Cleveland. This suggests that the 49ers are just one injury away from Thomas becoming a starter. In such a scenario, someone like Donte Jackson could become a valuable option for the team. Remember that he has started so many NFL games since 2018 and played under Coach Wilks last season

Looking Ahead

As the 2023 NFL trade deadline approaches, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to make some moves to strengthen their roster. Elijah Mitchell, Danny Gray, and Donte Jackson are three early trade candidates who could bring in some much-needed draft capital or help the team address other areas of need. While these players have all been valuable contributors for the 49ers, trading them could help the team make a push for the playoffs and build for the future.