San Francisco jumped from No. 30 to No. 10 for wide receiver…
San Francisco jumped from No. 30 to No. 10 for wide receiver J.J. Stokes, sending Cleveland its 1995 first-, third- and fourth-round picks plus a 1996 first-rounder. Stokes had a respectable 118-game career, but the future first became No. 26 in 1996 and was used by the relocated franchise on Ray Lewis. The extraordinary package makes Cleveland's side the decisive winner.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1995 1st round pick (30th overall, Craig Powell)
- pick 1995 3rd round pick (94th overall, Mike Frederick)
- pick 1995 4th round pick (119th overall subsequently traded, Dave Barr )
- pick 1996 1st round pick (26th overall, Ray Lewis)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1995 1st round pick (10th overall, J.J. Stokes )
Trade Analysis
Why San Francisco Paid a Premium
The defending champion 49ers wanted another large receiver to complement Jerry Rice and moved 20 spots to secure J.J. Stokes. Stokes was not a bust in the ordinary sense: he played 118 games, caught 342 passes for 4,293 yards and scored 30 touchdowns. San Francisco identified an NFL-caliber player, but the price required Stokes to become a true difference-maker to justify the move.
What Cleveland Acquired
Cleveland received the 30th, 94th and 119th picks in the 1995 draft plus San Francisco's 1996 first-round selection. The future first became No. 26 after the Browns organization relocated to Baltimore. That choice was used on Ray Lewis. The additional 1995 selections produced more chances as well, making this one of the most aggressive trade-down returns of the era.
How the Long-Term Value Separated
Stokes gave San Francisco several useful seasons, including a career-best 770 receiving yards in 1998, but he never became the star-level receiver implied by the acquisition cost. Lewis became a Hall of Fame linebacker, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and the centerpiece of Baltimore's defense for years. Even though that final outcome occurred after the franchise relocation, the pick itself came directly from this trade.
Final Verdict
Cleveland Browns Win. Cleveland earns an A+ because the package included multiple current selections and the future first that became Ray Lewis. San Francisco receives a C: Stokes was a legitimate contributor, so the 49ers did not receive nothing, but paying four picks to move up for a non-elite receiver created a severe value imbalance. The future first alone ultimately dwarfed the return.