ESPN Floats Bills-49ers Deal for Safety Jason Pinnock

Buffalo’s safety depth is thin following Damar Hamlin’s move to injured reserve.

Overview

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a hypothetical trade sending 49ers safety Jason Pinnock and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Bills for a 2027 sixth-rounder.
Barnwell’s case centers on Buffalo’s struggles at safety, with Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp criticized for coverage lapses and missed tackles this season.
San Francisco reduced Pinnock’s role after Malik Mustapha returned, turning instead to Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown and Marques Sigle in the defensive rotation.
Pinnock’s 2025 sample included eight targets and seven catches allowed with three touchdowns surrendered and an 11.1% missed-tackle rate, plus minimal special-teams usage.
Coverage notes Buffalo could also explore receiver help at the deadline, with names such as A.J. Brown, Calvin Ridley, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Jaylen Waddle mentioned as possibilities.