The San Francisco 49ers added veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts at the trade deadline, sending a sixth-round pick to Indianapolis according to ESPN. The move marks the second recent deal between 49ers general manager John Lynch and Colts interim general manager Ed Dodds, following the DeForest Buckner trade for a fourth-round pick in late October.
Allen, 34, signed a one-year contract with the Colts in August and recorded 40 receptions for 351 yards and one touchdown in eight games. He led Indianapolis in catches before the trade and would also lead the 49ers' receivers this season. San Francisco has been hit by injuries at the position: Mike Evans (Achilles/ribs), Deebo Samuel (hamstring), Christian Kirk (knee, injured reserve), Ricky Pearsall and De'Zhaun Stribling are all sidelined. In Sunday's 38-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the 49ers used Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks, Demarcus Robinson, KhaDarel Hodge and Jacob Cowing at wide receiver.
Despite the injuries, San Francisco's offense ranks sixth in yards per game (376.8) and third in points per game (29.4) through Week 9. Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler who spent 12 of his 14 NFL seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, where he became the franchise's second-leading receiver behind Hall of Famer Antonio Gates. He has six 1,000-yard seasons and five 100-catch seasons, tied for third all-time.
Analysts grade the trade a B for the 49ers and a C+ for the Colts. The 49ers gain a reliable veteran target for quarterback Brock Purdy without a high draft cost, though Allen faces a minimum three-game suspension stemming from an OWI arrest in Indianapolis earlier this year. The Colts, losers of five straight and having fired general manager Chris Ballard last month, continue to sell assets after moving Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner and now Allen. Attention now turns to Indianapolis' plans for star running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs.
