San Francisco faces roster cuts amid a rash of preseason injuries, with analysts circling veteran interior defender Jordan Elliott as a potential trade candidate before Week 1. David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard suggested Elliott could be moved to clear space for the 49ers’ interior depth and to monetize a veteran asset when rookies Alfred Collins and CJ West profile for expanded roles. Elliott logged 41.3% of SF’s defensive snaps last season, but San Francisco let Javon Hargrave walk and replaced him with a mix of Givens and rookies, heightening the roster-move calculus.

Valdez, nicknamed “The Hulk,” has impressed in camp and in early preseason action, prompting the piece to note Elliott could be squeezed out if Valdez cements his roster spot. The idea is to trade Elliott for a draft pick or a WR swing depth piece to address other depth concerns. The 53-man decision window arrives quickly as the 49ers balance talent, injuries, and the looming regular-season grind.