The San Francisco 49ers have already brought in pass-rush help, though Keion White was acquired as a depth piece.
With that in mind, recent intel suggests the club may not be finished addressing this area of need.
Mysteriously tapped-in NFL insider "Rickey Scoops" has re-emerged following a brief hiatus. He's back to let the people know the Niners are "expected" to add a defensive lineman before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. The specific position San Francisco is scouring the market for isn't clear, but another perimeter defender would make sense.
Given the context, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox identified the 49ers as a potential suitor for the Miami Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips.
While there's risk involved in this move, the upside is worth chasing, so San Francisco general manager John Lynch should roll the dice.
Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips is the ideal trade target for 49ers GM John Lynch
Currently playing out the final season of his rookie contract while swirling through the rumor mill, Phillips' time in Miami appears limited. He's garnering interest from other teams, and Knox projects the trade value for him to be a 2026 fourth-round pick; what's Lynch waiting for?
Staying healthy has been challenging for Phillips, age 26, in recent years. He appeared in 12 out of 34 possible games across the 2023 and 2024 campaigns (excluding playoffs). However, we've seen him be an effective, versatile contributor when available, as has been the case in 2025.
Phillips' 80.4 Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade ranks 14th out of 119 qualified options at his position. He's a disruptor -- in more ways than one -- parlaying a unique blend of size and elite athleticism to impact multiple facets of the game.
Injury concerns are far from ideal. Yet, considering all it may take to bring Phillips to the Bay Area is a Day 3 selection, that feels baked into the price. Not to mention, the Niners can treat him as a rental if things go south, giving them an easy escape route.
Through eight contests this season, Phillips has amassed 21 tackles (two for loss), two sacks and a fumble recovery. His nine stops are tied with multiple edge defenders for the fourth-most in football ($), highlighting a valuable knack for run-stopping.