SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — SEPTEMBER 21: San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Bryce Huff #47 celebrates during a Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium (Photo credits: Dylan Goodman/San Francisco 49ers)

It is no secret that the San Francisco 49ers have been on the prowl for some reinforcements to their edge rusher group.

49ers General Manager John Lynch confirmed via radio that the team is searching for edge rusher help as the season continues.

The team lost its superstar at the position, Nick Bosa, to a season-ending torn ACL in their Week 3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Following the loss of Bosa, the 49ers are left with free agent acquisition Bryce Huff, 11th-overall pick Mykel Williams, and veteran Sam Okuayinonu headlining the position room.

Huff, the team’s leader in sacks (3.0), has led the charge for the 49ers’ defensive front. However, outside of Huff, healthy 49ers edge rushers have accounted for just 1 sack.

If they want to continue to compete, San Francisco needs help off the edge.

With the Nov. 4 trade deadline rapidly approaching, there is a variety of potential candidates that the 49ers could pursue in the coming weeks.

Bradley Chubb – MIA

MIAMI, FLORIDA — SEPTEMBER 14: Miami Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb #2 pursues New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye #10 in a Week 2 game at Hard Rock Stadium (Photo credits: Miami Dolphins via AP)

Bradley Chubb, a former 1st-round pick for the Denver Broncos, is an immediate candidate that comes to mind for the 49ers.

Chubb, who is returning this year from a torn ACL that caused his absence from the entire 2024 season, has recorded 4.0 sacks and 13 pressures for the Miami Dolphins through the first six games of the year.

Miami will very likely be in the market for dealing key starters in exchange for draft capital after dropping to a 1-5 record.

The Dolphins also possess 1st-round picks at the position in Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson, both of whom are looking to take the next step in their young careers.

Trading the 29-year-old Chubb could clear up playing time for the young duo.

Chubb is under contract with the Dolphins through the 2027 NFL season. Trading him at the deadline would net Miami a sizable number in dead cap space, but long-term, they would save money.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently reported that Chubb, among several other veteran edge rushers, has “garnered interest” around the league.

This would not be Chubb’s first rodeo on the trade market.

The North Carolina State alum was dealt to Miami from the Broncos in exchange for veteran running back Chase Edmonds and a late 1st-round pick, among other assets.

Chubb has played under the likes of Vance Joseph and Ejiro Evero in Denver, Vic Fangio in both Denver and Miami, and now Anthony Weaver in Miami.

His experience in multiple systems and his proven ability to get to the quarterback when healthy makes him a premium trade candidate for San Francisco and other teams around the league.

It would make the most sense, given their situation, for San Francisco to pursue the former 5th-overall pick—if they are not already.

Kwity Paye – IND

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — SEPTEMBER 21: Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Kwity Paye lines up in a Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans in Nissan Stadium (Photo credits: Indianapolis Colts)

With the emergence of young star Laiatu Latu, former 1st-round pick Kwity Paye could become expendable for the Indianapolis Colts.

Indianapolis possesses a deep edge rusher room headlined by Latu, Paye, and veteran Samson Ebukam.

Paye, who has entered his fifth season, has been the most reliable edge rusher for the Colts throughout his young career, playing in at least 12 games in each of his first four seasons.

Paye has started every game this season, but is not producing at the level of his counterparts, which could draw in an edge-needy team like the 49ers.

Through the first six weeks of the 2025 NFL season, Paye has tallied just 10 pressures, which is lackluster compared to Latu’s 23 and Ebukam’s 18.

Veteran pass rusher Tyquan Lewis has also tallied 10 pressures for the Colts.

Paye, the 21st overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, is in the final year of his rookie contract with Indianapolis, which could alter the return for him in a trade.

But, with San Francisco’s 4-2 record through six weeks, short-term help off the edge would boost their obvious intentions to compete for a Super Bowl ring.

The Colts are playing at a high level, winning five of their first six games, so it may be tougher to argue in favor of trading a pass rusher rather than a team like the Dolphins or Tennessee Titans.

There have additionally been no reports of the Colts shopping or planning to shop the former Michigan Wolverine.

However, the performance thus far from the edge rushing group and the depth of the room make a Paye trade within the realm of possibility for the 49ers.

Dre’Mont Jones – TEN

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Tennessee Titans edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones #45 celebrates during a Week 4 game against the Houston Texans in NRG Stadium (Photo credits: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans)

The Tennessee Titans have got out to one of the coldest starts in the league, with a record of 1-5 through six weeks.

All signs point to Tennessee selling at the trade deadline.

The Titans mark the third team in Dre’Mont Jones’ seven-year career since being drafted out of Ohio State.

Jones started out with the Denver Broncos after being drafted in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft and later signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 after finishing out his rookie contract in Denver.

Jones was subsequently released by Seattle after the 2024 NFL season in an effort for the team to save cap space.

Jones signed a 1-year deal with Tennessee on Mar. 14, 2025.

Through the first six weeks of the 2025 NFL season, Jones has posted 14 tackles, 7 pressures, and just 1 sack.

Jones is a member of a Titans edge rusher room that also includes veterans Arden Key, and Jihad Ward as well as 2nd-round rookie Oluwafemi Oladejo.

Jones, 28, has played the most snaps this season among Titans edge rushers. He is not the oldest of the bunch and likely does not contain much trade value given his 1-year contract that expires after the season.

Similar to Paye, however, San Francisco needs short-term reinforcements.

Jones is an experienced veteran that has played in multiple top-tier defensive systems (Vic Fangio, Mike MacDonald, Dennard Wilson) and would give 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh more to work with at the position after losing Bosa.

Given Tennessee’s lackluster record and the depth that could fill in at the loss of Jones, a trade with San Francisco would make a lot of sense.

Keion White – NWE

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS — SEPTEMBER 28: New England Patriots edge rusher Keion White #99 tallied 3 pressures in a Week 4 game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium (Photo credits: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Keion White, a 2nd-round pick out of Georgia Tech, was selected by the New England Patriots with the 46th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

White, 26, had his best season in 2024, where he notched 45 pressures and 5 sacks, but has struggled overall to leave a lasting impact in Foxborough.

This season, White has totaled just 3 pressures on 107 defensive snaps.

His fellow New England pass rushers, Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson, have each tallied more than 20 pressures this season.

Acquiring White would not be the first time San Francisco invested in a young early-round draft pick that failed elsewhere.

During the 2023 NFL season, the 49ers acquired former 1st-round pick Chase Young from the Washington Commanders.

San Francisco only had him for half a season, but turned Young from a 2nd-overall pick that failed to get his footing right in Washington into a reliable pass rusher who could generate consistent pressure.

The 49ers essentially revived Young’s career.

And they could do the same with White.

Unlike Young, White is under contract with the Patriots through the 2026 season, so San Francisco would have more than half a season to boost the development of the former Yellow Jacket.

The Patriots appear to be back to contention after a few years hiatus, with White contributing very little to that notion.

His spot on New England’s depth chart and his massive upside could make White an intriguing trade prospect for the 49ers.

D.J. Wonnum – CAR

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — SEPTEMBER 21: Carolina Panthers edge rusher D.J. Wonnum #98 rushes the backfield in a Week 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium (Photo credits: David Jensen/Getty Images)

During the 2024 offseason, the Carolina Panthers elected to trade superstar edge rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2nd-round pick and a 5th-round pick.

Dealing Burns left a massive hole in Carolina’s pass rushing room.

Carolina added veteran leadership to the position when they added Jadeveon Clowney on a 1-year deal, but they also made a splash in free agency to alleviate the loss of Burns.

On Mar. 14, 2024, Carolina signed then 26-year-old edge rusher D.J. Wonnum to a 2-year deal worth $12.5M.

Wonnum began his career with the Minnesota Vikings, playing four years there before joining the Panthers’ squad.

Wonnum played his best season in 2023, his contract year, in which he 8 sacks and 38 pressures. He was rewarded for his performance by signing a deal with Carolina.

The dynamic of the Panthers’ edge rusher room has changed a bit since Wonnum arrived.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Panthers selected edge rusher Nic Scourton out of Texas A&M in the 2nd round.

The team also brought in edge defender Pat Jones II, another former Vikings pass rusher.

Wonnum has played at a mediocre level since joining the Panthers. The former 4th-round pick out of South Carolina missed nine games of the 2024 NFL season and has tallied just 10 pressures through the first six games of the 2025 NFL season.

A change of scenery may be necessary for Wonnum to get back on track and return to his Minnesota form.

Wonnum will also turn 28 years old on Halloween this year, making him the oldest player in Carolina’s edge room.

The possibility of the 49ers renting a pass rusher for the remainder of this season remains somewhat high and Wonnum, who is only under contract with the Panthers through this season, would be a viable and experienced candidate to fill that role.

The 27-year-old could be the spark alongside Bryce Huff that the 49ers need to keep applying pressure as they try to compete for a Super Bowl title.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — OCTOBER 12: San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Mykel Williams #98 rushes against Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Charlie Heck #77 in a Week 6 game at Levi’s Stadium (Photo credits: Terrell Lloyd/San Francisco 49ers)

The loss of Bosa had no effect on San Francisco’s Super Bowl window. They are still going steady with one sight in mind.

Losing a superstar like Bosa at one of the most important positions on defense is a setback, but not one that cannot be overcome.

Finding the right pass rusher to join Huff and rookie Williams in the Bay Area could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a Super Bowl victory for the 49ers.

Whether they chase after a premium veteran like Chubb or go for a young project like White, it is evident that one of San Francisco’s top priorities as the season continues is acquiring another pass rusher to boost the defense.