SANTA CLARA — Right on cue every October, John Lynch dials up the NFL’s trade-market hotline, typically seeking a pass rusher.

The 49ers need one more than ever in Lynch’s tenure as general manager, now that a surprising 4-1 start has morphed his shorthanded squad back into an NFC contender.

“I’m having a lot of conversations, a lot of good and productive ones,” Lynch said Thursday on KNBR 680-AM. “It is a premium position, so teams don’t like just letting those guys out the door when they’re good football players.”

Bryce Huff joined the 49ers four months ago in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the 49ers (4-1) desperately need another sack artist opposite him, having lost Nick Bosa to a season-ending knee injury in the Sept. 21 home opener.

The 49ers’ game-by-game sack total: 1

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