49ers trade proposal from ESPN swaps third-rounder for Pro Bowl safety from Falcons

49ers trade proposal from ESPN swaps third-rounder for Pro Bowl safety from Falcons originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The San Francisco 49ers have built what should be a fairly solid team for this upcoming season, but there is still room to get even better.

>One of the areas of the roster that could use a bit of help is the safety room. As good as Malik Mustapha looked last year, and the upside case with Ji'Ayir Brown, the 49ers could benefit from a veteran safety upgrade this season.

>ESPN's Seth Walder proposed a trade idea for the 49ers to address this safety room, and it would be a fascinating one that sends a 2027 third-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Pro Bowler Jessie Bates III.

49ers trade idea lands Jessie Bates from Falcons"49ers receive: S Jessie Bates III, 2028 sixth-round pick. Falcons receive: 2027 third-round pick," Walder proposed.

>Even though the 49ers might need edge rusher help more than a defensive back, adding Bates would be a very attractive addition for this year's 49ers team.

>He'd be a nice upgrade at safety, and look to help this shaky 49ers defense improve for the 2026 season with Raheem Morris, who could reunite with Bates after their time together in Atlanta.

>Walder also notes that Bates is making $13 million this upcoming season, which is, as he put it, a "below-market" deal for someone of Bates' caliber.

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>The 29-year-old safety played in all 17 games for the Falcons last season, recording three interceptions, one pick-six, six passes defended, 98 tackles, and a 73.7 passer rating allowed.

>He has 27 interceptions in his career, including at least three picks in each of the past four seasons. Adding him to the 49ers' defense would be a very appealing upgrade to make.

>A third-round pick is a lot for a rental, as Bates is hitting free agency after the season's over. But, this trade idea from Walder could have the 49ers landing a compensatory pick in 2028 alongside the 2028 sixth-rounder they'd get in the deal.

>This would be a nice deal for the 49ers. But the only question for the 49ers is whether they want to push more chips into the middle for this upcoming 2026 season amid some injury worries heading into the year.

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