The San Francisco 49ers will put the 2025 NFL preseason behind them after they host the Los Angeles Chargers for exhibition action on Saturday. The 49ers are coming off last week's 22-19 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and picking up another victory would help head coach Kyle Shanahan's team head into the regular season with some momentum.
Even before the preseason finale, 49ers fans have a good idea of who'll be on this season's 53-man roster. At the same time, San Francisco could benefit from finding out how it can further flesh out certain areas of the roster, especially when it comes to the wide receiver room.
After all, the 49ers will be without several pass-catchers to begin the regular season. Brandon Aiyuk could be sidelined until Week 6, Demarcus Robinson is suspended for three games, and that's without mentioning how Jauan Jennings, Russell Gage, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins have all been banged up at various parts of the summer.
In other words, the 49ers would be wise to pull off the below projected trade to help improve their WR situation.
49ers Trade for Panthers WR Adam Thielen in Projected Deal
Trade rumors regarding veteran WR Adam Thielen have started to swirl after the Minnesota Vikings reportedly called the Carolina Panthers about a potential deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Those conversations, obviously, haven't produced a trade, which is why the 49ers should call the Panthers to beat the Vikings to the punch.
Thielen, 35, is heading into his 12th NFL campaign and has the type of experience that would make quarterback Brock Purdy's life that much easier. The former Minnesota State product has amassed 685 receptions for 8,311 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns in 162 career games split between the Panthers and Vikings, all while making two Pro Bowls and earning an All-Pro second-team nod.
Even though his best days are behind him, Thielen still has enough juice in the tank to help elevate the 49ers' passing situation. He posted a 48-615-5 stat line in 10 appearances with Carolina last season, which put him on pace for an 82-1,046-9 performance if injuries hadn't forced him to miss seven games.
Most projected trades have Thielen fetching a fifth-round pick, which is a fair price. At the same time, the 49ers can't meet that criteria as their 2026 fifth-rounder is in limbo due to the Bryce Huff trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, and could end up in the City of Brotherly Love depending on how he performs.
A 2027 fourth-round pick is a fair price for Thielen's services, given the circumstances. Even if it's a bit further down the line, it could be one round better than what teams are offering, which matters to a rebuilding team like the Panthers. Even if the 49ers have to throw in a later pick as a sweetener, it's worth it for what the veteran playmaker brings to the table.
With the initial 53-man roster deadline approaching on Tuesday, the 49ers would be wise to make a play for Thielen sooner rather than later. That way, he can have as much time as possible to foster chemistry with Purdy before the regular season starts.