The San Francisco 49ers vehemently denied that quarterback Colin Kaepernick is on the trading block but now are showing interest in a wide receiver that specializes in the deep ball - a Kaepernick weakness.

Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com reported that a league source who is following up on the Kaepernick trade-block rumors started by a Houston radio station last week has indicated that the 49ers plan to sign Baltimore Ravens deep threat Torrey Smith.

The 49ers are rumored to be in talks with two teams about trading Colin Kaepernick

"Smith, as the source explained it, specializes in deep routes," profootballtalk.nbc.com reported. "One of Kaepernick's biggest weakness arguably is accuracy on the deep ball. In San Francisco, Smith's specific talents could be wasted, unless of course the quarterback is someone other than Kaepernick.

"Of course, in this chicken-and-egg dynamic, it could be that Kaepernick simply needs a deep threat like Smith to unlock the deep passing game. The concern for now, however, given Kaepernick's recent history and Smith's skill set is that it may not work."

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Which begs the question why the 49ers would sign Smith if there wasn't a possibility that Kaepernick could be traded and a new quarterback could come in.

According to 49ers.com, San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke said the reports that the team is exploring trade options for Kaepernick are baseless.

"Colin is our quarterback and we are excited to have him," Baalke said in a team-issued statement. "He is not going anywhere. The media reports suggesting otherwise are without merit and quite frankly ridiculous."

Such is the plight of Kaepernick's situation, once he signed that seven-year, $126 million contract last summer - only $13 million of which is guaranteed. The 49ers retain the right to cut him before April 1 of the ensuing season and are not obligated to pay an of the remainder of his contact.

Conceivably, the Niners can cut Kaepernick, who had his worst quarterback rating of his career in 2014, before April 1 this year and not owe him any of the $113 million remaining on his contract.

Do you think wide receiver Torrey Smith is a good fit for Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.