Top Three Trade Destinations For Brandon Aiyuk
Every offseason, there seems to be a saga or two that happens to carry us through the quiet part of heading into the start of training camp. The 49ers and receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract negotiations (or lack thereof) are just one of the headlines making rounds. According to several reports, the Niners have an offer marked around $26 million/yr in a new contract for Aiyuk. The issue is that Aiyuk doesn’t view that contract as good enough, apparently looking for something around the area of what Detroit Lions receiver Amon Ra St. Brown’s $30 million/yr.
This impasse between both sides has prompted speculation that a trade could transpire, more recently pointing to the Washington Commanders as one of the top landing spots as the two reportedly kicked around the idea. But some interesting teams could benefit from adding Brandon Aiyuk to their rosters for fantasy managers to be hyped about.
Washington Commanders
This is the “elephant in the room” destination. But the move does make sense for the Commanders to pull off. Not only do they have the cap space, but the Commanders sit at the table with the third-most cap space in the league ($36+ million). The Commanders would add a bonafide weapon alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson at the receiver position. Not only that but adding another weapon would be smart to help bolster up rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. With the changes the Commanders have made at offensive coordinator by bringing in Kliff Kingsbury, don’t be surprised if the Washington offense looks like something this season. Adding Brandon Aiyuk to the mix would a step in the right direction for the NFC East team.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers would be another good landing spot for Brandon Aiyuk if they can make something shake to get him. The Steelers have just over $15 million in cap space (17th among NFL teams) so they would have to see where they could pull the extra money from. But adding Brandon Aiyuk to the roster with rising star George Pickens would give the Steelers another solid option in the passing game. They did draft wide receiver Roman Wilson but he could figure to land in the slot. As it stands, the options of Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins, and Van Jefferson might not jump off the page. I believe Russell Wilson still has some gas left in the tank but he’s going to need as much as he can get to rebuild his NFL stock should this be his only season with the Steelers or if they want to pay to keep him.
Arizona Cardinals
This is the “longshot” but if this deal could get done, this would be big. The Cardinals are starting over at wide receiver after losing Marquise Brown in free agency as well as Rondale Moore. They did add Zay Jones in free agency and still have Michael Wilson who enters his second season (sleeper alert!), but the Cardinals could use the extra fire power to me. Brandon Aiyuk, pairing with first overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr would be crazy! The Cardinals also have the bread to give Brandon Aiyuk the money he’s looking for with the fifth-most cap space among NFL teams ($34 million). Trading to a division rival does make this one all but impossible though but it’s still interesting to dream up. Kyler Murray would be a top 10 fantasy quarterback if you armed him with this many weapons on the field at once.
