49ers urged to trade for Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean to bolster secondary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be open to trading cornerback Jamel Dean for the right price, and one analyst believes the San Francisco 49ers should consider making a move to acquire him.

Dean has become the subject of trade rumors after the Buccaneers selected two cornerbacks—Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish—in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jonah Morgan of Athlon Sports argues that Dean could bolster a 49ers secondary that lost Charvarius Ward to the Indianapolis Colts in free agency.

"The Niners allowed the fifth-least passing yards in the NFL this past season, so they will be hoping they can keep up that level of play in 2025," Morgan wrote. "And trading for a consistent performer like Dean at the cornerback position could be in the team's best interests."

San Francisco is expected to start Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green at cornerback in 2025. Third-round pick Upton Stout and free-agent addition Tre Brown are among those competing for the third cornerback spot, setting up an intriguing training camp battle.

With lingering uncertainty in the secondary, the 49ers continue to be linked to potential cornerback trades. However, the team's more pressing need may lie at safety following the departure of Talanoa Hufanga, and with promising second-year player Malik Mustapha expected to miss the start of the season as he works his way back from an ACL injury.

The Buccaneers drafted Dean in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn. Since then, he has become a key member of Tampa Bay's secondary, appearing in 82 games (63 starts) over six NFL seasons. During that time, he has tallied 313 tackles (six for loss), 52 passes defensed, eight interceptions (including a pick-six), and one forced fumble, per Pro Football Reference.

Last season, Dean recorded 59 tackles, seven passes defensed, and one interception across 12 starts.