Miami Dolphins–San Francisco 49ers Trade History

Miami acquired offensive lineman Lance Olssen from San Francisco for defensive back Tom Beier in May 1970. Olssen was released without appearing in a Dolphins regular-season game, while Beier likewise failed to make a regular-season appearance for the 49ers. Both players continued to have football transactions afterward, but neither produced NFL value for the club that acquired him in this exchange. With no realized return on either side, the trade is even.

Miami acquired Delvin Williams and immediately received a 1,258-yard rushing season in 1978. Williams remained a significant part of the Dolphins backfield through 1980, giving Miami three seasons of real offensive production. The cost was enormous, however: San Francisco received Freddie Solomon, Vern Roberson and two draft picks, including the first-rounder used on Dan Bunz.

San Francisco acquired defensive back Charles Cornelius from Miami in August 1979 for an 1980 eleventh-round selection, later No. 279 Phil Driscoll. Cornelius became an immediate 49ers starter, opening 14 games in 1979 with three interceptions and then making six more starts in 1980. Driscoll did not become an NFL regular-season contributor for Miami. Turning an eleventh-round pick into 20 starts across two seasons gives San Francisco the clear advantage.

Miami traded punter Tom Orosz to San Francisco near the end of the 1983 preseason for a 1984 twelfth-round selection. The Dolphins used No. 320 on William Devane, who did not establish an NFL career. Orosz, meanwhile, handled punting duties for the 49ers during the 1983 season and remained with the club into 1984, giving San Francisco the only meaningful professional return.

Miami acquired cornerback Tim McKyer from San Francisco on April 23, 1990, for an eleventh-round pick that became Anthony Shelton and a 1991 second-rounder that became No. 52, Lamar Rogers. The 49ers later paired that second-round pick with another choice to move up for Ricky Watters. McKyer's Miami stay was short, while San Francisco converted the premium asset into valuable draft leverage.

San Francisco sent Miami a 1997 fourth-round pick for running back Terry Kirby shortly before the 1996 season. Kirby immediately produced 998 yards from scrimmage in 14 regular-season games for the 49ers, adding receiving value to a championship-caliber offense. Miami gained a future pick that was later traded, but San Francisco received the more tangible and useful direct return.

Miami sent a fifth-round choice to San Francisco for veteran guard Kevin Gogan. Gogan gave the Dolphins ten starts in 1999 before leaving after one season, a useful short-term reinforcement. San Francisco used pick No. 157 on Terry Jackson, who remained with the 49ers for seven seasons and appeared in 100 games, mostly as a reserve and special-teams contributor. Longevity gives San Francisco the edge.

Miami moved down from No. 24 to No. 27 in the 1999 first round and received No. 134 from San Francisco. The 49ers selected defensive tackle Reggie McGrew, while Miami later moved No. 27 again and used the fifth-rounder on Cecil Collins. McGrew played 24 career games and Collins eight, leaving little sustained original-team value on either side.

Miami acquired quarterback Jim Druckenmiller from San Francisco for a 2000 seventh-round choice that became long snapper Brian Jennings. Druckenmiller never appeared in a regular-season game for the Dolphins, while Jennings became a fixture for the 49ers for more than a decade. A low-cost quarterback flyer unexpectedly turned into one of the clearest special-teams value wins a seventh-round pick can produce.

Miami Dolphins received a conditional 2003 pick that was not conveyed, while San Francisco 49ers received Cade McNown. The conditional pick was not conveyed and McNown never played a regular-season game for San Francisco, leaving both sides with little realized value. The hindsight grades are D for Miami Dolphins and D for San Francisco 49ers, producing a Even Trade verdict.

Miami traded Ted Ginn to San Francisco for a fifth-round pick and selected cornerback Nolan Carroll. Carroll became a four-year Dolphins contributor, eventually starting regularly in the secondary before continuing a long NFL career. Ginn gave the 49ers speed and valuable return work, including two return touchdowns in 2011, but his offensive role remained limited. Carroll’s larger defensive workload gives Miami the edge.

Miami sent picks No. 103 and No. 196 plus a 2013 sixth-rounder to San Francisco for No. 97 and selected Lamar Miller. Miller became the Dolphins' primary runner, topping 1,000 rushing yards in 2014 and finishing four Miami seasons with substantial rushing and receiving production. The 49ers recycled much of the return into additional draft moves, but none of the resulting value matched Miller's sustained offensive impact in Miami.

Miami sent Jonathan Martin to San Francisco for a conditional 2015 seventh-round selection, ending a relationship that was no longer part of the Dolphins' plans. Martin appeared in 15 games with nine starts for the 49ers in 2014 before his San Francisco tenure ended. Miami recovered a future draft asset, but that return did not become a significant long-term Dolphins contributor.

San Francisco moved from No. 63 to No. 57 in the 2014 second round, sending Miami picks No. 63 and 171. The 49ers selected running back Carlos Hyde, while the Dolphins selected receiver Jarvis Landry and linebacker Jordan Tripp. Hyde became a productive starter, so San Francisco received real value. Landry, however, became a three-time Pro Bowler in four Miami seasons and the franchise's primary receiver. Miami won a strong trade for both sides.

Miami sent the 153rd pick in the 2020 draft to San Francisco for running back Matt Breida. Breida played one Dolphins season, rushing for 254 yards on 59 carries and adding 96 receiving yards. The 49ers used No. 153 on Colton McKivitz, who developed into their starting right tackle and later earned an extension through 2028. That longevity makes San Francisco the clear winner.

San Francisco sent Miami the No. 12 pick in 2021, first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, and a 2022 third-rounder to move up to No. 3 for Trey Lance. Lance started only four games for the 49ers before they traded him to Dallas for a 2024 fourth. Miami immediately recycled No. 12 in another trade and retained enormous additional capital. The quarterback gamble failed, making the Dolphins the overwhelming winner.

Miami acquired running back Jeff Wilson from San Francisco at the 2022 deadline for a 2023 fifth-round pick. Wilson immediately gave the Dolphins familiar, dependable backfield depth and stayed with the club beyond the initial season. San Francisco used the pick on cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., adding a younger, cost-controlled defender. Both teams received useful depth, but the 49ers get a narrow edge for converting a surplus veteran into a multi-year draft asset.