ESPN selected Pettis as the 49ers player who the team most likely would like to offload before the upcoming trade deadline.
"Pettis simply doesn't have a role for the Niners anymore," explains ESPN's Nick Wagoner, "and that is unlikely to change without a handful of injuries in front of him. The past two weeks, the 2018 second-round pick was inactive in favor of Kevin White, who had just been activated from the practice squad. It's unlikely the Niners could get much in return for Pettis -- perhaps a pick swap to move up a round or a conditional late-round choice -- but he flashed as a rookie and could benefit from a change of scenery."
Pettis has no receptions on just one target through four games and one start this season. That follows up a disappointing 11-catch, 209-yard, and two-touchdown campaign in 2019.
No one is expecting the 49ers to make a big flashy move before the trade deadline, as they did last season to acquire wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders or in 2017 to get quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. With the salary cap situation what it is and the season not going as planned, if anything, most expect general manager John Lynch and company to be sellers rather than buyers.
That doesn't mean a trade for roster help is beyond the realms of possibility.
"It's real important for us to keep our draft picks," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week, "but if we find any situation where the right guy is there, who we think can help us this year, and without risking hurting us in the future, that's something I don't think we'd ever hesitate at, and we'd look forward to doing it. But those things don't always come up."
The NFL trade deadline is on November 3.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
ESPN questions whether 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey's impact is being overhyped
From a raw production standpoint, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey delivered another eye-catching season. He finished just 76 receiving yards shy of becoming the first player in NFL history to post multiple seasons with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000... -
Could the 49ers take a late-season gamble on Trevon Diggs?
The Dallas Cowboys have released cornerback Trevon Diggs, their 2020 second-round pick, placing him on waivers Tuesday. Given his remaining salary, Diggs is unlikely to be claimed and is expected to reach free agency soon. CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan identified five potential... -
Saquon Barkley praises 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey: 'He's one of the best to ever do it'
Saquon Barkley will aim to run over the San Francisco 49ers defense on Sunday, hoping to help his Philadelphia Eagles advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. His counterpart, 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, will look to do the same. Though they'll be... -
San Francisco 49ers opponents for 2026 season announced
The 2026 opponents for the San Francisco 49ers have been announced. The 49ers finished third in the NFC West and will play a third-place schedule next season. The 49ers will have nine home games and will go on the road eight times. Here are the 2026 opponents: Home Las Vegas...