'Dropped on nought': Shubman Gill reflects on missed Virat Kohli chance after GT defeat
Shubman Gill discusses missed opportunities in GT's loss to RCB
Brandon Aiyuk's trade rumors are influenced by the ongoing 2026 NFL Draft, involving the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders. Draft picks are highly valued assets that could facilitate a trade during this period.
How 49ers-Commanders Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors are impacted by NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Brandon Aiyuk saga still might have a ways to go.
But it's worth revisiting as the 2026 NFL Draft is ongoing for his current team, the San Francisco 49ers, and the team most connected to him in trade rumors, the Washington Commanders.
Draft picks are some of the NFL's most popular traded assets, and they're easier to trade when the draft is actually happening, because that's the easiest time to assess the value of a given pick.
So could a trade be coming?
2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available
It's not that simple. The 49ers don't have much incentive to do anything but wait for a trade offer they like, but the Commanders don't have much incentive to offer a trade.
San Francisco isn't in a rush to release Aiyuk, because he has no more guaranteed money on his deal.
Washington probably doesn't think Aiyuk is worth any draft picks in a trade because he just sat out the entire season and comes with obvious risk for mindset reasons.
The ongoing NFL Draft increases the likelihood of trades as teams assess the value of draft picks, which are key assets in potential deals.
The San Francisco 49ers, Aiyuk's current team, and the Washington Commanders, the team most connected to him in trade discussions, are involved.
Draft picks are considered valuable because they allow teams to acquire new talent and can be easier to trade during the draft when their value is clearer.
Shubman Gill discusses missed opportunities in GT's loss to RCB
Mets' Francisco Lindor will be evaluated again in three weeks after calf injury.
The NFL Draft will stop at the 57th pick to honor Heinz's 'Mr. 57.'
Kayden McDonald finally drafted by Texans after emotional wait in green room.
Mark Ingram's son steals the show with 'Steelers still suck' during Ravens draft pick announcement
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
So it's a bit of a stalemate.
BEST DRAFT NAMES:Ephesians Prysock | R Mason Thomas | DeVonta Smith | Zxavian Harris
That doesn't mean that on day three, the Commanders won't decide to send a sixth-round pick to the 49ers for Aiyuk.
It just means that's a bit more unlikely.
If something eventually happens here, it might still be months down the road.