Will the 49ers Trade Brandon Aiyuk During the NFL Draft?

What looked like a guarantee from the 49ers picking up the fifth-year option on Brandon Aiyuk's contract is now looking questionable at best.

49ers general manager John Lynch was fairly vague when he was asked at his pre-draft press conference about potential trade offers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

"I'm not going to get into specifics on people. We love Brandon Aiyuk and I’m excited about Brandon being a part of this team, so I'll just leave it at that.”

The press conference started out with trade talks being quelled with Trey Lance, but ended up being curious with Aiyuk. Lynch was on the "hush hush" side when it came to that question, which makes me think the 49ers really are considering to send Aiyuk out. His fifth-year option will cost the 49ers $14 million next year, which for a player of Aiyuk's caliber, is definitely worth it. He's a player they should retain this season at least. However, Aiyuk's fifth-year option is yet to be picked up, which Lynch explains why the 49ers haven't yet. 

“You always like to get through a draft. Before I publicly disclose that, which will happen, we have to by Monday, right after the draft. I want to talk with each one of those guys individually before I do that, so that that will be forthcoming.” Lynch said.

This is phony from Lynch. In previous pre-draft pressers, Lynch has announced the fifth-year options being picked up for Nick Bosa and Mike McGlinchey. Yet, Aiyuk can't get his announced until after? Something fishy is going on here. Of course, there is also Javon Kinlaw that factors in here, but the fact that it is still unclear what the status is on them given it has usually been decided on by now is odd. What looked like a guarantee from the 49ers picking up Aiyuk's fifth-year option is now looking questionable at best. 

So, will the 49ers trade Aiyuk during the NFL draft?

I believe they are considering it and will do it if the draft board falls in their favor. The fact that Lynch was so brief about Aiyuk being traded was an early tell. He doesn't want to spill the beans on something that is in the works, which is something the 49ers have done in the past with trades like DeForest Buckner. That trade emerged out of left field and was originally believed that Buckner was here to stay. Well, Aiyuk is in a similar situation here as the 49ers already have Deebo Samuel locked into a deal. 

They can't afford to take on two expensive wide receivers along with several other expensive offensive players. This is similar to the deal with McGlinchey last year. The 49ers loved him, but already had Trent Williams locked into a massive deal. It isn't going to work or isn't worth it to them with the salary cap crunch to make it work.  Now, Lynch did have a follow up question regarding Aiyuk's and Javon Kinlaw's fifth-year option.

"You can't keep everyone, we're trying to do something special this year and Brandon is going to be a big part of that and beyond as well. And so yes, you always have to think out a few years, but we're really excited about Brandon. I feel like he made another big step last year, and I think the best is yet to come and so we want him being a part of it and at some point, yeah, you have to figure things out and I guess we'll take that as it comes, but as of right now and into the future, we're really excited about Brandon Aiyuk and where he is at as a pro."

Good save Lynch to prop him up so much, but what matters here is the opening statement with "can't keep everyone" here. If there was a decision made on either of them, then he would've revealed it as he has done in the past. This is why I believe the 49ers will trade Aiyuk IF they can get a first-round pick or close to it in return. A team picking in the mid-20s like the Giants could be interested given their need and Aiyuk is a significantly better option than the top receiver prospects.

I do not believe the 49ers should trade Aiyuk given the priority to win it all in 2023, but the business side of this sport cannot be ignored. The 49ers will not want another McGlinchey situation where he walks for nothing.