49ers land Steelers’ 16-sack edge rusher in trade proposal
The 49ers could use their draft capital to upgrade positions of need with veterans instead of rookies.
Trades a big part of every NFL offseason up to and during the draft. This year has been no different for the San Francisco 49ers , who already sent their third-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano pinpointed a hypothetical trade for every NFL team ahead of the draft, and landed on a move that would land Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig for the 49ers.
In this scenario, San Francisco would send the No. 58 pick and a conditional 2027 fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh for Herbig. Their pass rush was completely punchless last season, with Bryce Huff leading the team with just four sacks.
They are hopeful that both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams will be healthy and back in their old form next season, but they could use another body in the rotation. Herbig, 24, is stuck in a rotation behind T. J.
Watt and Alex Highsmith in Pittsburgh and in the final year of his contract. He had 13 sacks in a limited role over the past two seasons and would be well worth the high pick it would probably cost for the Steelers to swap him. This trade makes sense if the 49ers aren't confident in the 2026 edge rusher class.