San Francisco acquired running back Joe Cribbs from Buffalo…
San Francisco acquired running back Joe Cribbs from Buffalo on August 19, 1986 for a 1987 third-round pick and a 1988 fifth-round pick. Cribbs gave the 49ers two useful seasons, totaling 890 rushing yards with six rushing touchdowns plus receiving production. Buffalo used No. 78 on Jamie Mueller, a 57-game fullback and 32-game starter, while No. 135 Kirk Roach never played an NFL regular-season game, balancing the returns.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1987 third round pick (#78-Jamie Mueller)
- pick 1988 fifth round pick (#135-Kirk Roach)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Joe Cribbs
Trade Analysis
Why San Francisco Acquired Cribbs
The 49ers traded a 1987 third-round pick and a 1988 fifth-round pick to Buffalo for veteran running back Joe Cribbs in August 1986. Cribbs had multiple 1,000-yard seasons earlier in his Bills career and gave San Francisco an experienced back who could contribute immediately to a contender.
What San Francisco Received
Cribbs played 14 games with 10 starts in 1986, rushing for 590 yards and five touchdowns while adding 35 receptions for 346 yards. He returned in 1987 for 300 rushing yards and another touchdown. Across two seasons, the 49ers received 890 rushing yards, 416 receiving yards and useful short-term backfield depth.
What Buffalo Received
The 1987 third-round pick became No. 78, Jamie Mueller. Mueller stayed with Buffalo for four seasons, playing 57 games with 32 starts and rushing for 901 yards. He was a useful fullback during the rise of the late-1980s Bills. The 1988 fifth-rounder became kicker Kirk Roach, who went to injured reserve and never appeared in an NFL regular-season game.
How the Value Settled
San Francisco received the better peak offensive season from Cribbs, while Buffalo received the longer team-specific service from Mueller. Roach's lack of regular-season value prevents the two-pick return from clearly overtaking the veteran production the 49ers bought.
Final Verdict
Both teams earn B grades. San Francisco received two useful seasons from a proven back, and Buffalo turned the trade into four seasons of meaningful Mueller service. Neither side generated enough extra value to separate decisively from the other. The realized production supports an Even Trade.