NFL TRADE UPDATE: According to ESPN, the Washington Commanders have surpassed the New York Jets to sign a remarkable world-class wide receiver from the 49ers to a $265.3 million, six-year contract. And there were several reports this evening.

Let’s take a look at Aiyuk and if you’d say yes to these scenarios

Before you start yelling at me, let me clearly state that I don’t believe Brandon Aiyuk gets traded. However, that doesn’t stop other analysts from firing up their trade machine trying to come up with trade proposals for Aiyuk.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports came up with three proposals for Aiyuk that include Washington.

Let’s review all three proposals and vote on them, shall we?

Proposal 1:

Aiyuk for Washington’s 2025 first-round pick

Here are Benjamin’s thoughts:

Aiyuk by himself is probably worth a touch more than a first-rounder; the Philadelphia Eagles, for example, sent a first- and third-rounder to the Tennessee Titans for A.J. Brown in 2022, and unlike Brown at the time, Aiyuk is coming off a career year. The Brown deal occurred during the draft, however, and the Commanders aren’t in dire need of a splashy upgrade out wide, with Terry McLaurin already in tow. Couple that with the 49ers owning more leverage than Aiyuk in contract talks, and securing a Day 1 pick via trade might actually be considered a major San Francisco victory this late in the offseason. Seeing as Washington is just kicking off a new regime, the Commanders could end up owning an early or mid-first-rounder in 2025, enhancing the appeal of their pick.

Verdict:

If Aiyuk wasn’t dealt during the draft for a first-round pick, then this deal would be even far more unlikely. With the 49ers holding Aiyuk’s fifth-year option, the smart move would be to let Aiyuk play on the option and then deal him on draft day in 2025 for a first-rounder. Knocking down the offense for a future first-round pick is a blow to the 49ers’ Super Bowl chances. The answer is NO.

Proposal 2:

Aiyuk to Washington for Dyami Brown, 2025 second-round pick, and 2025 fourth-round pick

Here are Benjamin’s thoughts:

In this scenario, the 49ers don’t net a coveted first-rounder, but they secure what figures to be a relatively high Day 2 selection, plus a fourth-rounder that’d give them a grand total of six picks in the first four rounds of the 2025 draft. Brown isn’t really a needle-mover after three underwhelming NFL seasons, but the former North Carolina prospect has specific traits (blocking aggression, deep speed) that could translate quickly to Kyle Shanahan’s offense, providing rotational depth behind Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, and rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall.

Verdict:

Brown has 29 total receptions in his career. Brown’s ability to stretch the field is intriguing, but Jacob Cowing should get a look before taking on a reclamation project in Brown. The second-round pick is interesting to help the 49ers load the roster more, but ultimately this is a no as well. Brown would fall into a rotation with the other receivers and could find himself in the doghouse quicker than he could say “Hey coach.” I’ll stick with Aiyuk at his price point since I know what I’m getting from him and do not have to bank on what a draft pick “might be.”