Green Bay Packers–San Francisco 49ers Trade History

Green Bay acquired Benny Aldridge and got eight games, eight starts and five interceptions from him in 1953. San Francisco received the Packers' 1954 15th-round choice and used No. 171 on Ed Gossage, who never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. One season of starting defensive-back production is modest rather than franchise-changing, but it clearly beats a draft return with no NFL games. Green Bay wins, B- to D.

San Francisco received Green Bay's 1971 second-round selection and used No. 37 overall on Washington guard Ernie Janet. Janet did not provide regular-season value to the 49ers before being traded to the Bears in 1972. Green Bay, meanwhile, got a full 14-game season from Kevin Hardy in 1970. The Packers therefore realized more immediate value despite surrendering the higher-upside draft asset.

Green Bay Packers received Al Randolph from San Francisco 49ers in the 1971-09-08 trade. Green Bay acquired Al Randolph, whose Packers return was limited rather than a long-term role. San Francisco 49ers's return was 1974 fourth round pick (#90-Sammy Johnson (a)). San Francisco received the 1974 fourth-round pick and selected Sammy Johnson at No. 90. Those realized outcomes, rather than the labels on the assets alone, drive the hindsight grade.

Green Bay Packers received 1979 eighth round pick (#193-Ron Cassidy) in the deal with San Francisco 49ers. The eighth-round choice became Ron Cassidy, who played 60 games for Green Bay over five seasons and caught 14 passes for 233 yards. That result supports a B for Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers Win verdict weighs the documented service and usable draft value each side actually realized from the exchange.

Green Bay moved up to No. 81 in the 1991 draft and selected running back Chuck Webb, who appeared in only two NFL games. San Francisco received picks No. 95 and No. 122, selecting Mitch Donahue and Merton Hanks. Hanks became a four-time Pro Bowler, first-team All-Pro and member of the 49ers' Super Bowl XXIX championship team.

San Francisco acquired pass rusher Tim Harris from Green Bay on September 30, 1991 for a 1992 second-round choice and a 1993 pick that became another second-rounder. Harris played 11 games in 1991, recorded 17 sacks in 1992, and later returned for a productive 1994 postseason. The 1992 selection also came back to San Francisco through compensation tied to Green Bay's hiring of Mike Holmgren.

Green Bay turned picks Nos. 103, 130 and 157 into Edgar Bennett, Orlando McKay and Mark Chmura. Bennett became a productive multi-year back, while Chmura developed into a three-time Pro Bowl tight end and important part of Green Bay's championship-era offense. Those two hits created far more durable value than San Francisco realized from its return.

Green Bay Packers received 1994 3rd round pick (84th overall, LeShon Johnson), 1994 5th round pick (149th overall, Dorsey Levens), and 1994 6th round pick (175th overall, Ruffin Hamilton) in the 1994-04-24 exchange with San Francisco 49ers. Dorsey Levens became a major Packers offensive contributor and long-tenured back, creating the decisive realized value in the exchange. That gives Green Bay Packers the stronger overall return.

Green Bay Packers received 2000 5th round pick (132nd overall subsequently traded, Paul Smith) in the deal with San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay later used the fifth-round asset as part of a move from pick 108 to 98, where the Packers selected linebacker Na'il Diggs. Diggs played 84 Packers games with 40 starts, giving Green Bay a durable downstream return. That outcome supports a A- for Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers Win verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

Green Bay Packers received 2000 4th round pick (98th overall, Na'il Diggs) in the 2000-04-16 exchange with San Francisco 49ers. Na'il Diggs became a six-year Packers starter and eventually played 170 NFL games. His sustained linebacker production gave Green Bay a clear return from moving up. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Green Bay Packers surrendered, the result supports Green Bay Packers Win and a A- grade for Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers received three higher selections in the 2001 draft in the 2001-04-21 exchange involving San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay used its return on Robert Ferguson, Bhawoh Jue and Bill Ferrario. Ferguson and Jue supplied useful NFL snaps, so the Packers received a meaningful package rather than a poor outcome. That realized return supports a B- grade for Green Bay Packers. The overall verdict is San Francisco 49ers Win, with the grade based on direct value created from this transaction.

San Francisco moved down nine spots in the sixth round of the 2004 draft and received pick No. 188, used on punter Andy Lee, plus No. 226. Green Bay used No. 179 on defensive lineman Corey Williams. Lee became a three-time first-team All-Pro and longtime 49ers punter; Williams became a productive Packers starter and was later traded for a second-round pick. Both clubs created exceptional value from late selections.

Green Bay Packers received 2011 6th round pick (174th overall; subsequently traded by Green Bay) and 2011 7th round pick (231st overall; subsequently traded by Green Bay) in the 2011-04-30 exchange with San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay moved both acquired selections again, so later players tied to those pick numbers belong to later transactions. The direct package, rather than later movement of any acquired asset, is the basis for the hindsight judgment. Against what Green Bay Packers surrendered, the result supports San Francisco 49ers Win.

San Francisco acquired the 55th pick in the 2013 draft from Green Bay for picks 61 and 173. The 49ers selected tight end Vance McDonald, while the Packers selected running back Eddie Lacy at 61 and later moved the 173rd pick. McDonald built a useful career, but Lacy's immediate impact, including a 1,000-yard rookie season and major offensive role, gives Green Bay the stronger return.