San Francisco acquired defensive lineman Dan LaRose from…
San Francisco acquired defensive lineman Dan LaRose from Baltimore for the 1966 seventh-round choice that became No. 105 Dave Ellis. LaRose appeared in five games for the 49ers in 1965, while Ellis never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The return was small, but San Francisco received the only on-field NFL value created by the exchange, giving the 49ers a narrow historical edge.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1966 seventh round pick (#105-Dave Ellis)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Dan LaRose / Danny LaRose
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Baltimore sent defensive lineman Dan LaRose to San Francisco for a 1966 seventh-round draft choice. Colts historical material identifies the return as that seventh-round selection, and the 1966 draft trail shows Baltimore using No. 105 on Dave Ellis. The transaction is modest in scale, but the package and downstream pick are clear enough to compare the actual NFL value each side received.
What San Francisco 49ers Got
LaRose had already been an experienced NFL lineman before reaching the 49ers. His San Francisco stay was brief: he appeared in five regular-season games in 1965 and did not start one. That is limited production, and it does not justify an aggressive grade. Still, five appearances are real roster value. LaRose then continued his career with Denver in 1966, confirming that he remained capable of playing professionally after the deal.
What Indianapolis Colts Got
Baltimore converted LaRose into the seventh-round choice used on Dave Ellis, a North Carolina State defensive end. Pro Football Reference lists Ellis as the No. 105 selection in the 1966 draft but credits him with no NFL regular-season games. The Colts therefore received a legitimate draft asset, yet that asset never translated into regular-season production. In hindsight, the pick did not equal even LaRose's short San Francisco contribution.
Final Verdict
San Francisco 49ers Win is the better historical result, but only narrowly. The 49ers got five games from LaRose; Baltimore's return produced no NFL regular-season appearances. San Francisco earns a C+ because the acquired player contributed only briefly, while Indianapolis falls to a C-. This is not a major steal or a franchise-changing mistake. It is simply a small trade in which one side realized some usable NFL value and the other side's draft choice produced none.