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Atlants Falcons safety Jessie Bates III.
T
he San Francisco 49ers are hungry. Despite finishing the 2025 season with a 12-5 record and returning to the playoffs after a one year absence, the 49ers were never a real threat and dealt with injuries to several stars that prevented them from reaching their full potential. Ready to return to Super Bowl contention in 2026, the 49ers are hard at work this offseason on acquiring new talent, bringing in notable players such as wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
But the 49ers still have a lot of work to do. Still having holes at multiple spots on the roster, the 49ers will go into the NFL Draft next month locked in– hoping that they draft the right players to fill those voids. But while the draft is the main focus right now, the 49ers could still add players via trade or free agency if they want to– and if they feel it is the right move. Earlier in the week, Niners Nation analyst, Jason Aponte, presented a trade that the 49ers could look into at some point between now and the draft– acquiring veteran safety, Jessie Bates. Bates, entering his age-29 season, is a 2023 Pro Bowler and multi-time All-Pro and would be a big add for the 49ers if they choose to pursue it.
Could the 49ers Trade for Bates?
Writing on article on three potential post-draft moves for the 49ers, Aponte mentioned trading for Bates as a move the team could make– helping the team improve their consistency at the safety position. Under contract for one more season, a trade for Bates would be a low-risk one but given his pedigree around the league, it may cost the 49ers a hefty sum to acquire his services.
“While this might happen on draft day, the 49ers should absolutely give the Falcons a call about the 29-year-old safety, who is still very effective,” Aponte said. “The goal should be to grab a safety in the draft (Emmanuel McNeil-Warren?) and groom him for the position, but if the Niners can’t get one in the draft, adding Jessie Bates on a one-year deal is as solid as it gets.”
Sending a fourth-round pick for Bates on draft day is an absolute win,” Aponte added. “Atlanta has added a safety signaling Bates’ time coming to an end, and he will be a free agent next season, so they may be motivated to recoup draft capital for the former Bengal.”
Bates, a second round pick in the 2018 draft, started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and while he showed flashes of greatness there, he did not break out until he joined the Falcons. But while the 49ers continue their quest to compete for a Super Bowl, the Falcons are still deep in a rebuild– which could mean they make him available for a trade.
49ers’ Current Safety Situation
Currently, the 49ers’ starting safeties are Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown. Both have showed tremendous promise at times during their tenures with the 49ers, but have also played inconsistently at times, forcing the 49ers to reassess their futures. Brown, an All-Rookie team selection in 2023, regressed in 2024 but improved again in 2025. Brown appears to be on the upward trajectory once again, but a season like 2024 has the 49ers on their toes when it comes to assessing his long term future.
Mustapha, a star as a rookie in ’24, missed nearly half of the 2025 season recovering from a torn ACL. When he came back, he wasted no time in making up for lost time, recording 76 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception in 12 games played, but the ACL injury reminds the team that he is injury prone. If Mustapha returns to full strength in 2026, the 49ers safeties will be a group to watch, but if he struggles, then expect the 49ers to make a move.