San Francisco 49ers–Washington Commanders Trade History

San Francisco 49ers received Howie Livingston. San Francisco acquired Howie Livingston and immediately received starting defensive value. Livingston played seven games and started all seven for the 49ers in 1950, intercepting four passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. That is a concrete half-season of high-impact secondary production from the player San Francisco acquired.

San Francisco 49ers received Johnny Williams from Washington Commanders. Johnny Williams appeared in 11 games for San Francisco during the 1954 season, giving the 49ers an immediate, measurable return from a player who actually joined their lineup. That outcome supports a C+ grade for San Francisco 49ers when the trade is measured by the football value actually realized after the exchange.

Washington acquired defensive lineman Bob Toneff from San Francisco on May 12, 1959, for a 1960 second-round pick, No. 16 overall. Toneff became a six-year Washington mainstay, playing 80 games with 76 starts and earning three consecutive Pro Bowls from 1959 through 1961. San Francisco used the pick on guard Mike Magac, who played five seasons and 56 games for the 49ers. Both sides did well, but Toneff delivered the greater peak value.

San Francisco 49ers received 1962 sixth round pick (#71-Keith Luhnow) from Washington Commanders, sending Rodney Breedlove / Rod Breedlove the other way. Breedlove became a multi-season Washington regular and earned Pro Bowl recognition, giving Washington far more realized NFL value than San Francisco received from the late-round return. That outcome supports a D+ grade for San Francisco 49ers, and the overall verdict is Washington Commanders Win.

On 1962-06-11, San Francisco 49ers received 1963 high draft pick, while Washington Commanders received Gorden Kelley. The hindsight verdict is Washington Commanders Win, with San Francisco 49ers graded C and Washington Commanders graded B. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and traceable football value, while leaving unresolved downstream pick identities out of the judgment.

Washington acquired linebacker and defensive end Carl Kammerer from San Francisco on September 12, 1963 for an eighth-round pick in the 1964 draft. Kammerer became a seven-year Washington contributor, appearing in 95 games with 58 starts and producing 30 Approximate Value. The low acquisition cost and long starting run make this an excellent Washington return.

Washington acquired Pro Bowl tackle Walter Rock from San Francisco for its 1970 first-round pick. The 49ers used No. 17 on Bruce Taylor, who won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, made a Pro Bowl and spent eight seasons in San Francisco. Rock also became a multi-year Washington starter and reached Super Bowl VII, leaving both clubs with substantial value from opposite sides of the exchange.

Washington acquired Rosey Taylor plus San Francisco's 1973 third- and fourth-round picks, while the 49ers received Washington's 1974 second-rounder and 1975 third-rounder. Taylor helped Washington reach Super Bowl VII. San Francisco later turned its incoming picks into Delvin Williams and Steve Mike-Mayer, with Williams becoming a Pro Bowl runner who topped 1,200 rushing yards in 1976.

San Francisco 49ers San Francisco received Larry Jones in the transaction. The return did not produce enough lasting value to offset what Washington obtained from the corrected sixth-round choice. The supported hindsight grade is D+. That mark weighs only value tied directly to this transaction and keeps the result proportional to the deal's cost. Against Washington Commanders, the final verdict is Washington Commanders Win.

Washington traded linebacker Joe Harris to San Francisco on May 3, 1978 for the eighth-round choice used on North Carolina receiver Walker Lee at No. 202. Contemporary Washington coverage ties Lee directly to the Harris trade; Tony Green belonged to a separate Larry Jones transaction. Lee was waived during training camp, while San Francisco received the veteran player, giving the 49ers the modest hindsight edge.

San Francisco sent fullback Wilbur Jackson to Washington for second-round picks in 1981 and 1982. The first became John Harty; the second was later packaged with another choice to acquire the pick used on Bubba Paris. Jackson immediately produced more than 1,100 yards from scrimmage for Washington in 1980, but San Francisco's two premium selections created the stronger long-term asset value.

San Francisco 49ers received Tory Nixon in the 1985-09-03 exchange with Washington, giving up 1986 sixth round pick (#156-Jim Huddleston). San Francisco acquired Tory Nixon, who appeared in 50 regular-season games for the 49ers and made three interceptions, including an 88-yard touchdown return. That return supports a B grade for San Francisco 49ers. The final verdict is San Francisco 49ers Win, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Washington paid a 1986 tenth-round pick and its 1987 first-rounder to San Francisco for the 45th selection in 1986, using that pick on receiver Walter Murray. Murray never signed with Washington and was later moved to Indianapolis. San Francisco secured valuable future first-round capital without surrendering a proven player, giving the 49ers the clear advantage.

San Francisco sent the No. 3 pick in the 2000 draft to Washington on February 26 for first-round selections Nos. 12 and 24 plus fourth- and fifth-round choices that ultimately slotted at Nos. 119 and 154. Washington used No. 3 on Chris Samuels, while San Francisco spread its return across several draft assets. The long-term value supports an even result.

San Francisco 49ers received 2001 7th round pick (224th overall, Eric Johnson) from Washington Commanders. San Francisco received the future seventh-round choice later used on Eric Johnson. Johnson developed into a productive multi-year 49er and posted a major receiving season in 2004, creating substantial value from a late pick. That outcome supports a B+ grade for San Francisco 49ers. The final verdict is San Francisco 49ers Win, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Washington acquired wide receiver Brandon Lloyd from San Francisco for a 2006 third-round pick and a 2007 fourth-round pick, a two-choice price that was larger than the old record showed. The 49ers' return was not a home run, yet Washington paid meaningful capital for very little production, making San Francisco the clear winner on cost and outcome.

Washington and San Francisco exchanged Mike Rumph and Taylor Jacobs in August 2006. Rumph appeared in seven games for Washington, recording 11 combined tackles and four passes defensed. Jacobs lasted into a second 49ers season but remained a minor receiving option, totaling seven catches for 69 yards and one touchdown across 12 games with San Francisco. Both clubs obtained some short-term depth, but neither return created enough value to separate the deal.

San Francisco sent picks No. 59 and No. 74 to Washington for picks No. 44 and No. 142, then used them on Dante Pettis and D.J. Reed. Washington moved down and selected Derrius Guice and Geron Christian, but Guice's career was derailed before he could deliver meaningful value and Christian became a limited starter. San Francisco's Dante Pettis also failed to last, yet fifth-rounder D.J. Reed developed into a quality NFL corner after leaving the 49ers. San Francisco's side produced the stronger overall football value.

San Francisco acquired Trent Williams from Washington for a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 third after the seven-time Pro Bowler had missed the entire 2019 season. Williams became even better with the 49ers, earning three straight first-team All-Pro selections from 2021 through 2023 and another All-Pro honor in 2025. Washington received Keith Ismael and Benjamin St-Juste, who supplied starting snaps but nowhere near Williams' value. San Francisco won decisively.

San Francisco 49ers received Chase Young. San Francisco received Chase Young, who immediately joined the pass rush during the club's run to Super Bowl LVIII. That result supports a B- for San Francisco 49ers. The overall comparison favors San Francisco 49ers, which produced the stronger realized return. The grade reflects the realized player service and draft value tied directly to this transaction, without assigning extra credit for outcomes that cannot be traced confidently to the exchanged assets.

San Francisco agreed on March 1, 2025 to send Deebo Samuel to Washington for a fifth-round pick, and both clubs list the completed transaction on March 12. Washington received 16 games, 12 starts and 802 scrimmage yards with six touchdowns in 2025. San Francisco's No. 147 pick, Jordan James, produced only limited rookie action.

San Francisco acquired Brian Robinson for a 2026 sixth-round pick and received immediate production in 2025. Robinson played all 17 games, carried 92 times for 400 yards and two touchdowns, then moved on to Atlanta for 2026. The 49ers received a useful one-season backfield return from a modest draft cost.