The Jets moved from No. 13 to No. 2 in the 1980 draft and…
The Jets moved from No. 13 to No. 2 in the 1980 draft and selected receiver Johnny 'Lam' Jones, sending San Francisco both the No. 13 and No. 20 first-round picks. Jones played 61 NFL games but never became the star expected from the second overall choice. San Francisco selected Earl Cooper and Jim Stuckey, two important contributors to its emerging championship roster.
New York Jets Received
- pick 1980 first round pick (#2-Johnny Jones / Lam Jones)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1980 first round pick (#13-Earl Cooper)
- pick 1980 first round pick (#20-Jim Stuckey)
Trade Analysis
Why the Jets Moved to No. 2
New York wanted elite speed at wide receiver and moved aggressively from No. 13 to No. 2 in the 1980 draft. The price was not one first-rounder for another: San Francisco received both the No. 13 and No. 20 selections, giving the 49ers two premium chances in exchange for one.
What New York Received
The Jets selected Johnny "Lam" Jones second overall. Jones played 61 NFL games and brought world-class speed, but his receiving production never approached what teams expect from a No. 2 pick acquired at such a high cost. He did not become the transformative offensive star New York was paying to obtain.
What San Francisco Received
The 49ers used No. 13 on Earl Cooper and No. 20 on Jim Stuckey. Cooper immediately produced 720 rushing yards and 567 receiving yards as a rookie and remained a versatile piece for several seasons. Stuckey became a long-term defensive lineman, starting major stretches and contributing during San Francisco's championship-era rise.
How the Complete Package Changes the Grade
The second San Francisco first-rounder is essential to evaluating this deal. Treating the return as only Cooper materially understates what the 49ers received. Two useful first-round players against one disappointing No. 2 selection creates a large and durable gap in football value.
Final Verdict
San Francisco earns an A+ and the Jets an F. The 49ers turned one premium pick into two championship-era contributors, while New York paid heavily for a receiver who never delivered star-level production. This is a decisive San Francisco 49ers Win.