Baltimore and San Francisco swapped late-round draft capital…
Baltimore and San Francisco swapped late-round draft capital on January 29, 1975. The Colts received the 1975 choices used on Mike Evavold at No. 399 and Mike Bengard at No. 426, while the 49ers received 1976 15th- and 16th-round selections, including No. 449 Mike Fuhrman. None of the identified selections produced meaningful NFL value, leaving this as a low-impact even exchange.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1975 16th round pick (#399-Mike Evavold)
- pick 1975 17th round pick (#426-Mike Bengard)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1976 15th round pick (selection not identified)
- pick 1976 16th round pick (#449-Mike Fuhrman)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Baltimore and San Francisco completed a late-round pick swap on January 29, 1975. The Colts received a 1975 16th-round choice at No. 399 and a 17th-rounder at No. 426. San Francisco received 1976 selections in the 15th and 16th rounds. Draft transaction histories trace the identified choices across the two drafts.
What Baltimore Received
The Colts used No. 399 on Mike Evavold and No. 426 on Mike Bengard. These were the type of selections that functioned much like priority developmental opportunities in an era with a 17-round draft. Neither identified player became a meaningful long-term NFL contributor, so Baltimore did not create notable realized value from moving forward one draft year.
What San Francisco Received
The 49ers accepted two future long-shot selections. One of the identified picks became No. 449 in 1976, associated with Mike Fuhrman, while the other 15th-round selection has no securely identified player outcome in the locked record. As with Baltimore's choices, there is no substantial NFL production that creates separation for San Francisco.
Why the Trade Stays Even
The key is proportionality. These were extremely late draft choices, and the expected hit rate was low. Both teams exchanged lottery-ticket-level capital across adjacent drafts, and neither side produced a player whose NFL career materially changed the evaluation. There is no reason to manufacture a winner from differences that did not become meaningful on the field.
Final Verdict
Both clubs receive C- grades. The transaction preserved roster-building flexibility and carried little downside, but it also generated little identifiable NFL return. With no durable contributor emerging from the documented selections, Baltimore and San Francisco finish even.