As one of the most competitive divisions in the league, the NFC West has made eye-catching moves both in their records and in trade deals ahead of the NFL's trade deadline on Tuesday. Looking for a push midway through the season, several teams across the league have made final trade deals with the hope of upgrading their rosters.
The San Francisco 49ers added to their defensive line ahead of the deadline with edge rusher Charles Omenihu. San Francisco acquired Omenihu from the Houston Texans on Tuesday afternoon in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. Recording 41 tackles, seven sacks, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles in his three seasons in Houston, the 49ers are hoping Omenihu will bolster its stout pass rush.
Alongside trade deals helping San Francisco get their second-half charge, returning players such as Jeff Wilson Jr., George Kittle and Robbie Gould should provide the 49ers a significant boost as they head into three crucial divisional matchups over the next five games. As for our NFC neighbors, some have made pretty noteworthy deals as well.
Arizona Cardinals (7-1)
This week, the 49ers are looking to even the score against the Arizona Cardinals in their second of two regular season meetings this season, this time at Levi's® Stadium. The game plan will look slightly different from Week 5's with the Cardinals addition of veteran tight end Zach Ertz. Ertz was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 15 in exchange for cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick. Over his first two games as a member of the Cardinals, Ertz has hauled in 7 of his 9 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown while averaging 39 snaps per game (61 percent).
Week 9 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers (3-4)
Los Angeles Rams (7-1)
The 49ers Week 10 opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, grabbed the league's attention as they added another prominent player to their star-studded roster. On Monday, the Denver Broncos agreed to trade eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller to the Rams for a second and third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Miller leaves the Broncos as the organization's all-time leader in sacks with 110.5, and joins three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Donald, to create a defensive powerhouse in Los Angeles that also features four-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Week 9 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (6-2)
Seattle Seahawks (3-5)
The Seattle Seahawks did not make any trades ahead of the 1 p.m. deadline, but look to rebound from their dismal start with the return of quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson missed the first game of his entire NFL career after being placed on Injured Reserve in Week 6 with a finger injury. The 49ers are set to face off against Seattle in their second of two meetings in Week 12 as San Francisco will head to Lumen Field to stay afloat in the NFC West race.
Week 9 Opponent: BYE
