Buffalo moved up to No. 20 in the 1986 draft and selected…
Buffalo moved up to No. 20 in the 1986 draft and selected tackle Will Wolford, also receiving a 1987 tenth-rounder. San Francisco received picks No. 29 and No. 56, using the latter on fullback Tom Rathman. Wolford became a Pro Bowl-caliber blind-side tackle for Buffalo, while Rathman became an important piece of championship offenses, making the exchange valuable for both clubs.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1986 first round pick (#20-Will Wolford)
- pick 1987 tenth round pick (#273-Jim Ellis)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1986 second round pick (#29-Gary James)
- pick 1986 third round pick (#56-Tom Rathman)
Trade Analysis
This is a draft-day trade in which both teams found the kind of player that makes moving around the board worthwhile. Buffalo received the 20th selection in 1986 and a 1987 tenth-rounder, then used No. 20 on tackle Will Wolford. San Francisco received No. 29 and No. 56, with the second of those choices becoming fullback Tom Rathman. Historical draft-transaction records support the pick flow.
Wolford became a cornerstone for Buffalo. He developed into a high-level tackle and protected the blind side during the rise of the Bills' Super Bowl-era offense. His Buffalo tenure included Pro Bowl recognition and years of starting work at a premium position. Landing that caliber of tackle at No. 20 easily validates the Bills' decision to move up.
San Francisco also found a perfect fit. Rathman became a versatile fullback, receiver and short-yardage option in Bill Walsh's offense and contributed to championship teams. His statistics do not fully capture the importance of a fullback who could protect, catch and run in a precision system. Gary James, selected with the other acquired choice, was less consequential, but Rathman alone delivered substantial return.
Because each club converted its key selection into a long-term contributor with meaningful team success, neither side deserves to be treated as the loser. Buffalo got the more premium position; San Francisco got a player deeply integrated into title-winning offenses. An A- for both sides and an Even Trade verdict best fits the realized value.
This is exactly the kind of exchange where raw draft position can mislead. Buffalo's tackle played the more valuable position, while San Francisco's fullback became unusually important within a championship system. Both organizations converted the deal into durable roster value.