49ers predicted to make bold trade for 69.5 sack Pro Bowler during training camp

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The San Francisco 49ers are one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFL, and yet, they're likely third in the NFC West behind the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.

One is the defending Super Bowl champion, and the other is a team that just went all-in with some massive blockbuster trades. To compete, the 49ers might need to swing a blockbuster trade of their own.

Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon is predicting the 49ers will make such a trade, swinging a bold deal with the Las Vegas Raiders for 69.5 sack Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby during training camp in a deal that does make sense for San Francisco.

49ers predicted to trade for Maxx Crosby during training camp

"San Francisco 49ers acquire Maxx Crosby from Las Vegas," Gagnon predicts. "... That being the case, look for a desperate veteran team in win-now mode to make a splash move for Maxx Crosby this summer."

Gagnon believes the 49ers might be that desperate team this summer, and it makes perfect sense why. They're a Super Bowl-contending team in a brutal division.

To compete with the Seahawks and the Rams, adding some help at pass rusher is a must. Nick Bosa is coming back, and so too is Mykel Williams.

But Keion White, Sam Okuayinonu, Romello Heigh, and others aren't good enough to stop the 49ers from a trade for Crosby.

The five-time Pro Bowler who's spent his entire career with the Raiders on the West Coast was almost traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks this offseason, but the Ravens backed out due to medical concerns.

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That should open the door for the 49ers to spend a lot less on a trade for Crosby, though they're probably going to have to give up a first-round pick and more.

But, to add someone who has 69.5 sacks in his NFL career, including 10 this past season, along with two second-team All-Pro nods, along with 133 tackles for loss, and 164 quarterback hits, it should be a no-brainer if the 49ers could pull this off.

Their offense is in good shape, and if they could pair Bosa and Crosby off the edge together, the 49ers' pass rush unit that was terrible last season could become one of the best in the NFL during the 2026 season.

This is a bold prediction from Gagnon, though it's not totally out of the question for the 49ers. They have a huge need at edge rusher still, and Crosby, one of the best in the NFL, is likely available for trade. This fit makes sense, and could actually happen.