The San Francisco 49ers made two notable moves before the NFL trade deadline, which passed on Nov. 10. With a 7-1 record and a place atop the competitive NFC West, San Francisco strengthened its roster by acquiring defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and wide receiver Keenan Allen.
The 49ers sent a fourth-round draft pick to the Indianapolis Colts for Buckner, a former San Francisco player. On deadline day, general manager John Lynch again dealt with Indianapolis, this time sending a sixth-round pick to bring Allen to the Bay Area. The six-time Pro Bowl receiver was expected to provide help to a team dealing with injuries.
However, Allen may not have been the 49ers’ first choice.
## San Francisco Initially Looked at Josh Downs
Lynch said San Francisco first explored the possibility of acquiring Colts receiver Josh Downs. Like Allen, Downs was playing on an expiring contract, but pursuing him would have required a more substantial investment.
As the 49ers evaluated Downs, head coach Kyle Shanahan also became interested in Allen. Lynch said Shanahan raised the possibility of asking Indianapolis about the veteran receiver, prompting the team to begin discussions with the Colts.
Lynch described how the trade interest developed:
> “We kind of focused on Josh Downs as an option that we’d have some interest. And Kyle and I are kind of watching Josh, and in the process, Kyle’s like, ‘Man, what about Keenan?’ And I was like, ‘You know, we hadn’t given much thought to that, but let me ask about that.’ And so, there started a conversation about two and a half weeks ago, really, when the DeForest talks [happened]. ‘Would he?’ And it’s always fluid, and at a certain time, they didn’t want to give up Keenan. It kind of wasn’t going to be on the table, but we kept communicating, and ultimately we got him.”
The conversations about Allen began roughly two and a half weeks before the deadline, around the time San Francisco was discussing the Buckner deal. Indianapolis was initially reluctant to part with Allen, but ongoing communication eventually helped bring the trade together.
## A Lower-Cost Option for an Injury-Hit Team
Allen was playing in the final year of his contract, making the move a short-term bet for the 49ers. San Francisco gave up only a sixth-round pick, limiting the cost if the receiver was unable to make a significant impact. The team may have preferred that arrangement to paying more for Downs, particularly with reinforcements expected to return from injury.
The Kansas City Chiefs ultimately acquired Downs by sending the Colts a fourth- and fifth-round pick. That price illustrates the greater draft capital San Francisco might have needed to surrender to land the younger receiver. Downs could have been a longer-term option, but his expiring contract also meant the Chiefs could be making a rental move for the rest of the season.
Allen, meanwhile, brought a lengthy résumé and a history of high-level production. The 14-year veteran had earned six Pro Bowl selections, and Shanahan’s interest suggests the coaching staff saw a potential role for him in the offense. Still, the 49ers would need to determine whether he could deliver enough on the field to justify the opportunity.
There are reasons the trade came at a relatively modest price. Allen’s production had been declining over several seasons, and his contract was nearing its end. Those factors made the acquisition a calculated gamble rather than a major long-term commitment.
The choice between Allen and Downs could look different as the season unfolds. Downs may thrive in Kansas City, while Allen will have a chance to contribute to a San Francisco team aiming to remain competitive in the NFC West. For the 49ers, the limited cost of the deal leaves room for the move to pay off without requiring a substantial draft investment.
Whether Allen can regain enough of his past effectiveness to make a difference remains uncertain. The 49ers chose the veteran at a lower price, while the Chiefs committed more draft capital to Downs. The results of those decisions will become clearer as both receivers settle into their new teams.
