San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers completed this…
San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers completed this exchange on 1993-04-25. The Chargers used No. Both teams created meaningful value, which keeps San Francisco's grade high. Following the acquired picks only through moves actually made by the receiving clubs, the overall result is Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win.
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1993 second round pick (#48-Adrian Hardy)
- pick 1994 first round pick (#15-Wayne Gandy)
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1993 third round pick (#82-John Lynch (Jr.))
- pick 1993 fourth round pick (#110-Corwin Brown)
- pick 1993 fifth round pick (#138-Richard Griffith / Rich Griffith)
- pick 1993 second round pick (#41-Natrone Means)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
San Diego wanted running back Natrone Means badly enough to move from No. 48 to No. 41 in the 1993 second round and attach its 1994 first-round pick. San Francisco accepted the future premium choice and also received No. 48. The deal was only the first step in a chain of draft-day moves for both clubs, so the proper evaluation follows what each acquired pick later helped its new team obtain rather than stopping at the first listed player name.
What San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers Received
The Chargers used No. 41 on Means, who became a Pro Bowl back and a major part of their 1994 AFC championship season. San Diego also received Nos. 82, 110 and 138, then moved some of that capital again during the draft. San Francisco selected Adrian Hardy at No. 48. More importantly, the 1994 first-rounder became No. 15 and was a central piece of the package the 49ers sent to the Rams to move up to No. 7 for Bryant Young.
How the Value Developed
Both teams created meaningful value, which keeps San Francisco's grade high. The future first helped the 49ers reach a Hall of Fame-caliber franchise defender, although they had to add second- and third-round picks to complete that later move. The Chargers received the best direct player from this exchange in Means, whose rushing helped drive a Super Bowl run, and they retained additional draft flexibility from the lower picks. That combination gives San Diego a narrow edge rather than a runaway win.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win. San Francisco 49ers receives a B+ and San Diego Chargers receives a A-. The grading credits direct on-field production and follows an acquired draft choice into a later trade only when that same asset was actually controlled and moved by the receiving club. That approach avoids assigning another team's eventual selection to the wrong side and keeps the verdict tied to value each franchise truly realized.