San Francisco 49ers–Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trade History

San Francisco sent quarterback Steve Spurrier to expansion Tampa Bay for Bruce Elia, Willie McGee and the 1976 second-round pick used on Eddie Lewis. McGee immediately produced 269 receiving yards and four touchdowns in six games before a broken leg. The 49ers received multiple assets and more aggregate value than Tampa Bay realized from one difficult Spurrier season.

San Francisco 49ers received Johnny Miller (b) in the exchange with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Johnny Miller gave San Francisco regular-season snaps after the acquisition. Against the other side's return of 1977 tenth round pick (#267-Aaron Ball), that outcome supports a C+ grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as San Francisco 49ers Win, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

San Francisco sent tight end Jim Obradovich to Tampa Bay for the 1979 10th-round pick used on Howard Ballage. Ballage never played an NFL regular-season game. Obradovich, by contrast, spent six seasons with the Buccaneers, appearing in 89 games with 23 starts and seven receiving touchdowns over his career. Tampa Bay turned a late pick into a durable contributor.

San Francisco 49ers received 1982 tenth round pick (#269-Dana McLemore). San Francisco used the tenth-round choice on Dana McLemore, who spent six seasons with the 49ers, contributed on defense and returns, and earned a Super Bowl XIX ring. That outcome supports a A- grade because the return is measured by the direct football value San Francisco 49ers actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.

San Francisco 49ers acquired fullback Johnny Davis from Tampa Bay in an August 31, 1981 player-for-player swap, sending James Owens to the Buccaneers. Davis became a useful part of the eventual Super Bowl champion 49ers, contributing as a runner, receiver and backfield contributor. His direct role on a title team supports a B+ and makes San Francisco's side fully worthwhile.

San Francisco 49ers received 1984 fourth round pick (#86-Rickey Hagood). San Francisco received Tampa Bay's 1984 fourth-round choice, later No. 86. The 49ers subsequently used that selection in another transaction rather than receiving the eventual drafted player directly. The important point is that San Francisco controlled a fourth-round asset with continued trade value, which was more useful than Tampa Bay's short-lived return. That stronger outcome supports a B- grade for San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco acquired Jim Leonard and received nine games of service from him in 1985. The contribution was modest, but it was real regular-season value from a late-round transaction. Because Tampa Bay's acquired twelfth-round selection became Mike Crawford, who produced no regular-season Buccaneers value, the 49ers finished slightly ahead.

San Francisco acquired defensive lineman Keith Browner from Tampa Bay for a 1988 sixth-round selection, No. 163, which became Shawn Lee. Browner gave the 49ers an experienced defensive option at a low acquisition cost, while Tampa Bay converted him into a legitimate draft choice. Lee later had a substantial NFL career, though much of it came away from the Buccaneers. The immediate transaction still tilts slightly toward San Francisco.

San Francisco acquired Steve Young from Tampa Bay for a second-round pick, a fourth-round pick, and cash, then had the luxury of developing him behind Joe Montana. Young eventually became a league MVP, a Super Bowl-winning starter, and a Hall of Famer, giving the 49ers one of the greatest quarterback succession outcomes in NFL history. The modest acquisition cost compared with Young's eventual peak makes this an overwhelming San Francisco win.

San Francisco moved up to pick No. 39 in the 1988 draft and selected defensive lineman Pierce Holt, sending Tampa Bay picks No. 53 and No. 107. Holt became a long-term NFL starter and finished his career with 37 sacks, including productive seasons for the 49ers. Tampa used its selections on running back Lars Tate and punter Monte Robbins. Tate contributed, but Holt's sustained defensive value gave San Francisco the stronger return.

San Francisco received the 2006 sixth-round choice used on Marcus Hudson. Hudson became a multi-season defensive back and special-teams contributor, giving the 49ers useful service from a late selection. The package is kept as one pick asset because the selected player is already represented inside that pick. That result supports a B- grade within the San Francisco 49ers Win verdict.

Tampa Bay traded up one spot from No. 14 to No. 13 in the 2020 draft, sending San Francisco pick 117 and receiving pick 245. The Buccaneers selected tackle Tristan Wirfs, who quickly became an elite offensive lineman and a foundational piece of their championship offense. San Francisco took Javon Kinlaw at 14 and later used the extra fourth-round capital in the move that produced Brandon Aiyuk, but Wirfs remains the defining value.