NFL Trade Rumors: Could Cooper Kupp or Tee Higgins Replace Brandon Aiyuk With 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have lost Brandon Aiyuk to a season-ending injury this past weekend. Does that mean they’re in the market for a top -catching threat? 

The San Francisco 49ers find themselves at a crossroads. With wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk lost for the season, a mounting injury list grows heavier. The question for a team with championship aspirations is no longer if they will act but when. So, what are the latest on 49ers trade rumors?

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the 49ers may be eyeing reinforcements before the trade deadline. Graziano noted, “I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 49ers in the market” for a wideout, as November 5 looms large.

The list of potential targets is rich with talent: Mike Williams of the New York Jets, Diontae Johnson of the Carolina Panthers, the Giants’ Darius Slayton, Jacksonville’s Christian Kirk, and Rams’ star Cooper Kupp. These names represent opportunity, a lifeline to keep San Francisco’s ing game intact.

Davante Adams and Amari Cooper—two elite playmakers—were reportedly on the 49ers’ radar before being dealt elsewhere. Now, San Francisco looks to the market again, searching for the missing piece to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

Could the 49ers Land Cooper Kupp from Los Angeles?

The rumors swirl with quiet intensity. Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams’ star wide receiver, could be on the move. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Rams are open to trading Kupp and even willing to absorb some of his salary to make the deal happen. It’s a move that could reshape the NFL landscape.

For the San Francisco 49ers, this could be a game-changer. Kupp, at 31, is more than just a receiver; he’s a versatile playmaker who fits seamlessly into any offense. For a team already brimming with talent, his presence would give quarterback Brock Purdy a reliable, go-to target in crucial moments—especially in those short and intermediate zones where games are won and lost.

In here, I put Cooper Kupp as a trade target for the 49ers.

If you're the Rams and you decide to call it for 2024 and trade Kupp, all else being equal San Francisco is the best place to deal him to.

2024 doesn't matter to you, but the draft capital you've taken ~from your… https://t.co/F9yIsjWyMB

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 23, 2024

Financially, the deal could work, with the Rams willing to help offset some of the cost. But there’s a roadblock. Intra-division trades are rare, especially when they involve a player like Kupp. The Rams and 49ers share the NFC West, which complicates things.

And yet, other suitors loom. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, desperate for help at wide receiver, stand ready—outside the division, outside the conference, with a second-round pick or more to offer.

Other 49ers Receiving Options

Diontae Johnson – Carolina Panthers

Diontae Johnson’s journey from Pittsburgh to Carolina has been filled with promise and potential. Signed to a two-year deal with the Steelers in 2022, Johnson was traded to the Panthers this past offseason, and now, in what feels like a lost year for Carolina, his future hangs in the balance.

At 5’10” and 183 pounds, Johnson’s frame suggests a slot receiver, but don’t be fooled—he’s spent the bulk of his snaps on the perimeter, showing he’s capable of much more. His speed, athleticism, and route-running are undeniable, making him an enticing option for teams in need of playmaking ability. Still, there are concerns. Johnson’s tendency for drops has been a lingering issue, and in the 49ers’ offense, which relies heavily on perimeter blocking, he may not be the perfect fit.

If I were the 49ers, I would look to trade for Diontae Johnson. Johnson has always been suppressed by bad quarterback play.

Last season he ranked 7th best in ESPN's WR receiver score

I would compare a trade like this to the Emmanuel Sanders trade in 2019. Johnson is a similar… pic.twitter.com/k7WGVvsHQM

— Kevin Krueger (@kevinkruegs) October 21, 2024

But the upside is clear. With 29 receptions for 340 yards and a touchdown this season, Johnson has shown flashes of the explosive talent he possesses. His ability to stretch the field—eight targets beyond 20 yards, four catches for 102 yards, and a score—proves he can deliver those game-changing plays.

For San Francisco, it’s a question of need versus fit. But in a season full of unknowns, Johnson remains a tantalizing option.

Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals

Tee Higgins is playing under the franchise tag this season, with free agency looming. The Bengals, sitting third in the AFC North at 3-4, face the risk of losing him for nothing this offseason. As their playoff hopes flicker, decisions must be made.

Enter San Francisco.

Money isn’t the issue for a team with $55 million in cap space—it’s about fit and potential. Swapping Deebo Samuel for Higgins, or finding a way to offload Samuel’s contract, would allow the 49ers to build around a young, dynamic receiving corps.

At just 25 years old and standing at 6’4″, Higgins is the kind of WR1 every team covets. He’s the perfect complement to Brandon Aiyuk, and his ability to win after the catch fits seamlessly into Kyle Shanahan’s offense. More than that, Higgins brings a presence in the red zone—an area where San Francisco has been searching for answers.

For the 49ers, it’s a move that not only solidifies the present but also positions them for the future. In a league where opportunities come and go in the blink of an eye, Higgins could be the piece that keeps the Super Bowl window wide open.