Rams received: 2025 second-round pick, WR Jacob Cowing

49ers received: WR Cooper Kupp

The thought of Cooper Kupp putting on a 49ers jersey might be too much for some Rams fans. But few teams should have more motivation to make a big receiver trade than the Niners.

The Niners have been on the verge of breaking through and winning a Lombardi Trophy for the past five years. They have played in either the Super Bowl or the NFC Championship Game four times during that span.

This season the trend is not going in that direction. The Niners are 3-4, and a series of injuries have made it more difficult for them to compete.

The injury news worsened earlier this week when it was confirmed that Brandon Aiyuk had suffered a torn ACL. Injuries to Jauan Jennings and Chris Conley compound the Niners receivers’ woes while Deebo Samuel recovers from pneumonia.

Trading Kupp could help the Niners get their season back on track. However, it might take additional incentive to convince the Rams to trade him to a rival.

That could mean giving up not only the second-round pick the Rams are reportedly seeking, but also 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing.

The rookie was assigned to the Niners last week and excelled with two catches for 50 yards in addition to his punt return duties. He would give the Rams a developmental player on a rookie contract in place of Kupp.