Shopping items still left on the 49ers free-agent list include punt returner and deep receiver. The best combination of that, one could argue, is former Cal star DeSean Jackson. He’s still in the second year of a five-year deal with the Eagles, and he’ll make $10.5 million in 2014.

Philly is apparently willing to trade him and rumors are Jackson can be had for a meager third-round pick. The 5-10, 175-pounder is a staggering talent who recorded career highs in yards and receptions last year while playing in coach Chip Kelly’s wide-open, uptempo offense.

But apparently, Kelly has grown weary of Jackson’s MeSean routine and constant demands for more money.

The 49ers, according to reports, have inquired about Jackson. However, with only about $4 million of space under the salary cap, the 49ers may not have the means to sign him without significant sacrifice.

Many “pundits and so-called experts,” as 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh likes to call us, believe that signing Jackson is essential. However, Jackson’s salary cap hits include $12.750 million this year, $12 million next year and $10.5 million in 2016.

And Jackson has hinted that the five-year, $48 million deal that he signed two years ago isn’t high enough. The 49ers could restructure the deal and spread the money out over say the next six seasons, but Jackson is unlikely to be around that long. Undersized players are less likely to be durable.

Also, the Eagles are willing to get rid of a highly productive player. They may even cut Jackson if they can’t trade him. What does that tell you? Jackson didn’t leave Cal on the best of terms either. The odds are good Jackson could start smelling like three-day old fish in the next year or two.

And even if the 49ers slam themselves against the cap to sign him, they will likely have a lot of dead money against their cap when Jackson leaves. Dead money is cap space devoted to players no longer on the team.

If the 49ers do make a deal for Jackson, that could jeopardize their ability to sign Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith and Mike Iupati.

And would Jackson be happy here? He could be the final piece in a successful Super Bowl run, but there’s little chance he’d replicate his 2013 numbers. The 49ers are the opposite of the Eagles offensively — San Francisco’s offense is based on a methodical running game, not an up-tempo passing game.

That not only means fewer opportunities for Jackson but also some dirty work — slant routes, seal blocks on defensive end and linebackers and downfield blocks on long passes and runs. Is Jackson willing to do that regularly? And at his size, how effective will he be?

Undoubtedly Jackson’s speed and explosive return abilities add a desperately needed element to the 49ers offense. But signing him is a risk and it would tie up money not only now, but also in the future. Is Jackson worth it?

Should the 49ers sign DeSean Jackson? Yes, he's an incredible athlete.

No, he's more trouble than he's worth.

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