NFL San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers Should Strongly Consider Trading Mike Iupati

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By @sdmeyers1

Mike Iupati

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When the San Francisco 49ers signed Colin Kaepernick to a massive contract extension during the offseason, it became inevitable that the team would lose some significant players in free agency over the next several years. One of the players almost certain to leave is guard Mike Iupati. As a result, San Francisco should consider shopping the fifth-year lineman.

There’s no question that dealing the former All-Pro guard would instantly weaken the 49ers line, but unlike past seasons, San Francisco has considerable depth in the unit both presently and going forward. The season-ending injury to Daniel Kilgore unquestionably was a big loss, but highly-touted rookie Marcus Martin, back from injury, is expected to fill that void.

If Martin can hold his own, it will allow Joe Looney to remain as the primary backup at both guard positions, while Jonathan Martin will serve as the third offensive tackle behind starters Joe Staley and Anthony Davis. Both Looney and Martin have started games this season, and both players have performed admirably in their opportunities. Also, the 49ers coaching staff has been impressed by rookie Dillon Farrell, who saw action at center last week after Kilgore was sidelined.

Furthermore, the 49ers drafted another talented lineman, tackle/guard Brandon Thomas, who is recuperating from an ACL injury. He should be back to full health for the 2015 campaign, though, and the 49ers likely selected him with the expectation that he will eventually become a fixture in the starting lineup.

All of these options on the line, combined with more pressing needs elsewhere on the team, signal the end of Iupati’s tenure with the 49ers once he hits free agency. At this point, though, it could make sense to move Iupati to a team that needs a long-term solution at guard and would be willing to part with assets to acquire him.

There was a precedent for this set just a few months ago, when the New England Patriots dealt All-Pro guard Logan Mankins to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Tim Wright and a fourth-round pick. Although Mankins has more accolades than Iupati, he’s also five years older and has a bigger contract.

Iupati is more valuable at this point of their respective careers, especially if a team believes that it can sign him to a long-term pact after trading for the Idaho product.

The return must be solid for San Francisco, though, for multiple reasons. First and foremost, the 49ers consider themselves Super Bowl contenders, and if they weaken themselves in one area, they will want to strengthen themselves in another. Much like Wright filled a need at tight end for the Patriots, the 49ers could seek a player to add to their depleted linebacker or secondary units.

Moreover, San Francisco will likely receive a compensatory pick if Iupati leaves via free agency, so any pick they acquire through a trade would have to be more appealing than that compensatory selection.

Ultimately, trades are very rarely consummated in the NFL, and it will be difficult for the 49ers to find the ideal acquisition in mid-season. However, it would be wise for the 49ers to at least explore the option of trading Iupati before the Oct. 28 deadline.

Sean Meyers is a professional wrestling writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and “Like” him on Facebook.

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