San Francisco’s receiver room just turned into trade-season theatre. The 49ers could trade Brandon Aiyuk for draft capital as teams weigh the upside against the risk. Reported November 20, 2025, byMatt Barrows on X, the idea is straightforward: Aiyuk’s torn-knee history and salary push his value down. Barrows singled out receiver-hungry clubs like Pittsburgh and Cleveland as logical suitors.
“His value is hurt by two things: last year’s three-ligament knee injury, and the fact that a team trading for him might have to take on a lot of salary. Maybe the 49ers could get an early Day 3 pick from a receiver-desperate team like Pittsburgh or Cleveland? They were interested in him 15 months ago,” said Matt Barrows on X.
Reporter @mattbarrows on what compensation the 49ers can get if Brandon Aiyuk is traded:
“His value is hurt by two things: last year’s three-ligament knee injury, and the fact that a team trading for him might have to take on a lot of salary. Maybe the 49ers could get an early… pic.twitter.com/0NKVRBp2Px
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) November 20, 2025
Brandon Aiyuk Trade Buzz Points to Realistic Early Day 3 Return
Brandon Aiyuk
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
The Brandon Aiyuk Trade Buzz hinges on two blunt realities. Firstly, the 27-year-old wideout’s three-ligament knee repair is a red flag for risk-averse front offices. Secondly, his cap hit complicates deals for teams with limited space.
Those two factors compress his market to later picks, but upside still matters. Aiyuk showed WR1 flashes in San Francisco before the injury. A reclamation bet for a late-first/early-Day-3 investment makes sense to teams that believe medicals and scheme fit can unlock value.
Pittsburgh and Cleveland surface convincingly. Both clubs have receiver gaps and have previously chased perimeter playmakers. Barrows’ reporting suggests that prior interest in history can lower friction in talks. An early Day 3 pick (late fourth to early sixth) gives a team control and upside without a heavy financial commitment. For the 49ers, that’s sensible: swap immediate salary headache for cheap draft capital while preserving flexibility around Trey Lance and the roster build.
This Brandon Aiyuk Trade Buzz also passes the sniff test against precedent. Players coming off significant injuries and with heavier contracts typically net mid-to-late draft compensation, not mid-round hauls. The 49ers’ leverage comes from market timing: a receiver-thin club desperate enough to gamble could bite.
San Francisco’s job is simple: price the move so the trade doesn’t breed worse problems on the cap. A pragmatic, non-sexy exit for the 27-year-old could be an early Day 3 pick.