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Blockbuster trades used to be a rarity in the NFL. Free agency and the draft used to be the only way teams got star talent, but things are much different now.
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Elite stars like Micah Parsons, Sauce Gardner, A.J. Brown, Myles Garrett, and others have been traded in recent memory. Now, as we approach Week 1, there could be another star player on the move.
We know defensive tackle Vita Vea is unhappy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The star wants a new contract, but it’s also been reported that he wants to play on the West Coast. As a result, many have linked Vea to the 49ers, and we got confirmation that the team did check in on Vea.
The 49ers have hopes of contention, and a player like Vea could get them over the hump. At this point, a trade makes too much sense not to happen.
What Could a Vea Trade Look Like?
The Buccaneers continue to insist that they will not move Vea. However, if the star truly wants out, he will get out eventually.
So what would it take for the 49ers to land Vea?
ESPN’s Ben Solak revealed that the consensus is that it would take a second-round and fifth-round draft pick. If that really is the case, the 49ers should not be afraid to offer a similar package.
Tom Jensen of 49ers OnSI floated the idea of sending Alfred Collins and a second-round pick to the Bucs. This is an intriguing package because Collins is also a defensive tackle, and he was a second-round selection just last year.
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Collins has been extremely disappointing in San Francisco, but perhaps a change of scenery would help him out. There’s no possible way the 49ers would get a second-round pick for Collins, so including him in a larger trade makes sense.
There’s no denying that Vea would be a massive improvement over Collins. A defensive tackle duo of Osa Odighizuwa and Vea, with Nick Bosa on the edge, would strike fear in the heart of any opponent.
Will a Deal Happen?
It seems more and more likely that Vea will get moved. The relationship seems damaged beyond repair, and the 49ers desperately need a better option on the defensive line.
If Collins were living up to his draft status, this trade probably wouldn’t even be rumored. However, the 49ers are trying to contend this year, and they cannot afford to wait on Collins to take a step forward.
It’s still not probable that this deal will happen, just because deals of this magnitude are rare. There’s no denying that it makes plenty of sense on paper, though.
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This story was originally published August 17, 2026 at 8:56 PM.