San Francisco acquired defensive back Charles Cornelius from…
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 Dolphins Received
- pick 1980 eleventh round pick (#279-Phil Driscoll)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Charles Cornelius
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Miami exchanged Charles Cornelius for a future eleventh-round selection late in the 1979 preseason. For the Dolphins, the move created another draft chance from a player they were willing to part with. San Francisco paid a very small price for a defensive back who could compete immediately. With an eleventh-rounder involved, the 49ers needed only modest service for the acquisition to become worthwhile.
What San Francisco Received
Cornelius substantially exceeded that threshold. His 1979 49ers season included 16 games, 14 starts and three interceptions. He returned in 1980 for another 16 games and six starts. That gives San Francisco 20 starts over two seasons from a player acquired for one of the final selections in the following draft. Even without star-level honors, that is excellent conversion of a very low-cost asset.
What Miami Received
The Dolphins used the 1980 eleventh-round choice, No. 279, on Phil Driscoll. Player records do not show Driscoll becoming an NFL regular-season contributor for Miami. Late picks naturally carry low expectations, so the Dolphins should not be punished as if they had surrendered premium capital, but the realized return was effectively absent.
How the Value Developed
The contrast is unusually clean. San Francisco received immediate starting value and continued service the next year. Miami received a late selection that did not produce comparable game action. The 49ers' advantage is therefore based on direct football output rather than speculative downstream value. Because the acquisition cost was so small, San Francisco deserves a solid positive grade.
Final Verdict
San Francisco earns a B- and Miami a D+. Twenty starts and two full seasons of appearances from Cornelius are a strong result for an eleventh-round price, while Driscoll did not deliver regular-season value to the Dolphins. The deal is a clear 49ers win despite its modest overall scale.