In just a few short weeks, every NFL team has to go from around 90 players to just 53. As a result, there are plenty of talented players who will be cut loose around the league.
The San Francisco 49ers are one team that will have to make some tough decisions. The 49ers have the luxury of sporting one of the league's most talented rosters, which means it's a tough group to crack.
Every year, around cut day, there are several trades that get worked out. If teams are going to cut a player, they might as well see if someone will throw them a draft pick in exchange. With that in mind, let's identify three 49ers who could end up being traded away before Week 1.
QB Mac Jones
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It's not particularly likely that the 49ers trade Mac Jones, but it's not impossible. Jones is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league, but he's set to be a free agent after the 2026 season.
That means the 49ers are probably about to lose the quarterback for nothing in free agency. It's just not reasonable to spend big on two quarterbacks, and some team will almost certainly want to give Jones a big contract. So, what if some team wants to go ahead and make sure they secure Jones?
If some team has a quarterback go down in the preseason, the 49ers will likely be the first team they call. The 49ers could then get some pick compensation for Jones while allowing Kurtis Rourke to be the backup.
LB Tatum Bethune
The 49ers have a logjam at the linebacker spot. Dre Greenlaw was brought back this offseason, and Fred Warner is healthy, which means this is one of the best linebacker duos in the league.
Behind those two, the 49ers have Tatum Bethune, Nick Martin, Jaden Dugger, Luke Gifford, and Garrett Wallow competing for spots. Gifford will make the team due to special team, and Dugger will make it as a rookie. Bethune could end up being the odd man out, and he'd definitely receive interest if made available.
Bethune racked up 94 tackles a year ago, but he'll be relegated to backup duty if he even makes the team. Perhaps some team with a linebacker need would give up a late-round pick for the Florida State product.
CB Jack Jones
Jack Jones is a veteran corner who's battling for a spot this summer. We know Deommodore Lenoir and Upton Stout will be two of the starting cornerbacks, while Renardo Green and Jones battle for the final starting job.
Green has been fantastic this summer and definitely has the upper hand right now. Jones is a solid player, though, so if he loses the battle, a cornerback-needy team could come calling. Jones started all 17 games for the Miami Dolphins last year and collected 77 tackles and one interception.
Lenoir, Stout, Green, Nate Hobbs, and Darrell Luter Jr. would still be in the secondary without Jones, so it makes sense to move him if he doesn't win the job.
