The San Francisco 49ers have had an uneven start to the 2024 season at 4-4. Much of that has stemmed from the lack of continuity on offense, with many of the 49ers’ superstars missing time this season. The biggest blow came in Week 7 when Brandon Aiyuk went down for the season with a torn ACL and MCL.
That could require the Niners to add a wide receiver before the Nov. 5 deadline. Fortunately there are options available, one of which we look at below.
49ers Could Add Cheap Help in WR Mike Williams
Trade Proposal
- 49ers Get: WR Mike Williams and 2025 7th-round pick
- Jets Get: 2025 6th-round pick
There are certainly flashier wide receiver names on the market, not all of which are realistic. For instance, while reports have floated Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp as a trade possibility, Rams coach Sean McVay recently shut down that idea. Moreover, it’s improbable that the Rams would trade him to a division rival even if Kupp were available.
Thus, the 49ers could likely improve their depth with a simple late-round swap with the New York Jets for Mike Williams. The former Chargers wideout has had a disastrous first season with the Jets, recording 12 catches for 166 yards in nine games. Thursday vs. the Houston Texans, Williams played a season-high 70.9% of the snaps, only to record one catch for six yards.
With Davante Adams making his way to New York and Garrett Wilson appearing to earn Aaron Rodgers’ trust, there isn’t really a role for Williams. Rodgers has been critical of the eighth-year receiver throughout the season, particularly after the quarterback threw a game-ending interception when targeting Williams in the team’s Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
"I've gotta play better & I can't make that throw to end the game..
The question was about what happened on that play & I wasn't calling Mike Williams out..
I hold myself to a standard of greatness & when it hasn't been there I stand up there & say I gotta play better" ~… pic.twitter.com/A8ijlW4ArK
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 15, 2024
On the other hand, the Niners would have a legitimate role for Williams as their X receiver.
With Aiyuk out, Jauan Jennings and Chris Conley have been the 49ers’ primary route runners from the perimeter.
From 2022-23, Brock Purdy had the second-highest EPA per dropback when targeting receivers lined up wide (0.46), behind only Tua Tagovailoa.
However, that has dipped to 0.28 this season — still a solid number, but hardly the uber-efficient level Purdy and the 49ers’ passing game achieved his first two seasons.
Williams is as prototypical an X receiver as you can draw up. This season, 72% of his snaps have come when lined up out wide. That would allow him to replicate the role of Aiyuk, who lined up out wide on 86% of his snaps.
This won’t be any type of blockbuster trade in terms of compensation due to Williams’ lack of 2024 production and his abbreviated 2023 season after a torn ACL. But the Jets would likely benefit simply from clearing up their receiver room, and Williams would represent a decent flier for San Francisco in the absence of a flashier receiver move.