ESPN suggests this non-Aiyuk trade involving former 49ers starter

ESPN's Seth Walder examined the NFL landscape and proposed several preseason trade scenarios that make sense. One hypothetical trade involves the San Francisco 49ers sending a former starter to an NFC rival.

Walder suggests the 49ers trade running back Elijah Mitchell and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. He believes Mitchell would provide an upgrade to the Cowboys' running back room, which currently includes Royce Freeman, Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn. That's not a strong group for a team with lofty expectations.

"Mitchell could be the answer, though," Walder wrote. "He is the presumed backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco, though Kyle Shanahan recently indicated that Jordan Mason could also be in the backup mix."

Mason has emerged as a legitimate candidate for the RB2 job. The third-year back has seemingly improved his pass-catching skills, purchasing a $3,000 JUGS machine this offseason to work with his father and hone his receiving abilities.

"Plus, the 49ers drafted Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round and recently added Matt Breida," Walder continued. "If San Francisco feels good about its running back depth, might it be willing to deal Mitchell -- who enters the final year of his contract -- for some draft compensation? Perhaps."

The current issue is that the 49ers' running backs are banged up. McCaffrey is dealing with a calf strain that will keep him out of the preseason. Mitchell and Guerendo are dealing with hamstring injuries, with the rookie's being the more severe. These setbacks prompted the 49ers to bring back Breida.

Mitchell has recorded 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 327 carries in three NFL seasons. Additionally, he has 28 receptions for 158 yards and a receiving touchdown.