The San Francisco 49ers have been linked to the wide receiver position as we approach next week’s trade deadline. It makes sense, given Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending injury, Jauan Jennings missing a couple of games, and Deebo Samuel being in and out of the lineup this season.

Ricky Pearsall’s recent emergence and the potential return of Christian McCaffrey take some of the sting out of losing Aiyuk. There’s still plenty of firepower on the offensive side of the ball.

But it’s the defensive side of the ball that could stand to use reinforcements during the second half of the season. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw could be week to week once the Niners return from the bye week. Safety Talanoa Hufanga will attempt to play with an air cast, but the safety play has been superb in his absence. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s return wouldn’t happen until a playoff berth — and even that might be a longshot.

Yetur Gross-Matos was signed to be a rotational pass rusher who can get after the quarterback. He’s played 79 snaps in three games this season. Leonard Floyd’s playing time has been consistent. His production has not. Per Next Gen Stats, Floyd ranks 63rd among all defensive linemen in pressure rate this season. He’s a full percentage point lower than Kevin Givens.

Sam Okuayinonu continues to impress. He had four quarterback pressures and a sack on only 20 pass rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen uses Sam O as the third edge rusher on obvious passing downs who kicks inside at defensive tackle.

Adding a pass rusher at the trade deadline could go a long way in keeping the 32-year-old Floyd fresh while Okuayinonu remains inside. Let’s review a few potential trade targets the 49ers should pursue before next week.

Baron Browning – Broncos

The 49ers traded for a former teammate of Nick Bosa’s last season. Browning was on the roster with Bosa and Chase Young from 2018 to 2019.

Browning has one Injured Reserve stint this year after suffering a foot injury in Week 2. He missed seven games last season due to a knee injury and a concussion. Trading for a player with an injury history in the last year of his contract is quite risky, especially after Gross-Matos has panned out.

But if you’re scouting Browning based on his performance against teams you’ll play against, he dominated the Seahawks in Week 1. Browning had five run stops and five quarterback pressures. He’s a high-end athlete who adds athleticism and versatility.

And since Denver has no ties to Browning after this season, he could be traded for a Day 3 pick. At 25, Browning could be a part of the 49ers’ future plans if he performs well and stays healthy in the second half.

Za’Darius Smith – Browns

Smith is 32, which likely signals he’s not in Cleveland’s plans after 2024. Smith’s salary is $1.21 in ‘24 and costs about $11 million coming his way in 2025.

Smith is coming off a spectacular showing against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8, where he had eight quarterback pressures, four run stops, and a sack. Smith has had at least two run stops in every game but one. He’s registered at least three pressures in four different games. He’s a productive pass rusher, playing a little more than 58 percent of the snaps this season.

Smith is a complete player with experience and production. He’d also fit the 49ers mold of an edge rusher. Browning is listed at 245 pounds. Smith is 275. You must be able to play the run, and that’s no issue for Smith. He’s the most complete player we’ll talk about today.

Azeez Ojulari – Giants

Ojulari is in the final year of his rookie contract. The Giants might be reluctant to move Ojulari after a recent injury to one of their starting edge rushers.

Since Kayvon Thibodeaux’s injury, Ojulari has played at least 77 percent of the snaps in the previous three games for New York. In those games, he has 12 pressures, five sacks, and 12 run stops. He’s been all over the place.

Thibodeaux isn’t expected to miss too much longer, and the Niners should strike while the iron is hot. With the Giants’ investments in Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, they are unlikely to pay Ojulari after this season.

He’s bigger than Browning, at 250 pounds, and has been productive with his opportunities. The former second-rounder from the 2021 NFL Draft has superb traits that Kris Kocurek covets. One of his comparisons, according to MockDraftable, is Ojulari’s college teammate, Robert Beal Jr.

Davon Godchaux – Patriots

49ers fans may want to reunite with D.J. Jones, but Godchaux has the bigger frame (6’3″/315 pounds) and is on a team that appears to be selling. Godchaux has two seasons remaining on his contract, which could entice the Niners, who have two veterans and two players with little to no experience at defensive tackle.

Godchaux has only missed games in one season since 2018. He’s also been more productive than Jones. Godchaux’s 23 run stops are tied with De’Vondre Campbell and is one less than Bosa’s. That’s an excellent sign for a nose tackle.

Availability and consistently stopping the run should put Godchaux at the top of the front office’s list of potential targets within the next week.