San Francisco sent Miami a 1997 fourth-round pick for running…
San Francisco sent Miami a 1997 fourth-round pick for running back Terry Kirby shortly before the 1996 season. Kirby immediately produced 998 yards from scrimmage in 14 regular-season games for the 49ers, adding receiving value to a championship-caliber offense. Miami gained a future pick that was later traded, but San Francisco received the more tangible and useful direct return.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1997 4th round pick (123rd overall subsequently traded, Chad Levitt )
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Terry Kirby
Trade Analysis
Why San Francisco Added Kirby
The 49ers were still built to contend and wanted a versatile veteran who could contribute as both a runner and receiver. Terry Kirby fit that offense immediately. San Francisco surrendered a future fourth-round pick, a manageable cost for an established back capable of handling meaningful touches without requiring the team to wait for a rookie's development.
What Miami Received
Miami received a 1997 fourth-round choice that became No. 123 overall. The pick was subsequently traded, so the Dolphins' side should be judged as draft flexibility rather than as the career of the player eventually selected in that slot. Moving Kirby also cleared a veteran from the depth chart, but the direct football value that can be tied cleanly to this exchange is the future fourth-round asset.
How Kirby Helped the 49ers
Kirby made the transaction worthwhile almost immediately. In the 1996 regular season he rushed for 559 yards, caught 52 passes for 439 yards and totaled four touchdowns, finishing with 998 yards from scrimmage in 14 games. He also remained with San Francisco beyond that season. That kind of multi-purpose production was meaningful for a 12-win club and far exceeded the usual certainty attached to a future fourth-round pick.
Final Verdict
San Francisco 49ers Win. The 49ers earn a B+ because the fourth-round cost produced immediate, substantial offense from a veteran who fit a contender. Miami receives a C for obtaining useful draft capital but not a comparably clear direct payoff from this transaction. San Francisco accepted less future flexibility in exchange for production, and the production arrived right away.