New England received San Francisco's 2001 sixth-round pick,…
New England received San Francisco's 2001 sixth-round pick, preserving future draft value from a late-round swap. The Patriots later moved that selection in another transaction, so the later player outcome is not credited directly here. Compared with Tim Rattay's multi-season 49ers service and 16 starts, New England's direct return was less substantial.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2001 6th round pick (173rd overall subsequently traded, Jason Glenn )
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 2000 7th round pick (212th overall, Tim Rattay )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
During the 2000 draft, San Francisco sent a 2001 sixth-round pick to New England for the 2000 seventh-round selection used on Tim Rattay. The 49ers effectively paid a future pick one round earlier to move into the current draft. New England accepted delayed draft value, while San Francisco targeted a quarterback it could develop immediately.
New England Patriots Return
The Patriots received a future sixth-round selection, which was a reasonable price for surrendering a seventh-rounder in the current draft. New England later moved that pick in another transaction, so any player eventually associated with the later move should be evaluated separately. In this exchange itself, the Patriots' benefit was the preservation of a somewhat better future draft asset.
San Francisco 49ers Return
Rattay turned a seventh-round pick into substantial quarterback service. He remained with San Francisco for multiple seasons and made 16 starts for the 49ers, far exceeding the typical direct return expected from the 212th overall selection. Even without treating him as a long-term franchise starter, that amount of game and starting value is significant for such a small draft investment.
Value in Hindsight
New England's process was defensible because future sixth-round capital normally carries more value than a current seventh. The realized results, however, favor San Francisco. The 49ers converted the acquired choice into a quarterback who started 16 games for them, while the Patriots' pick was later moved and therefore did not create comparable direct production within this transaction alone.
Final Verdict
New England receives a C and San Francisco receives a B. The 49ers win because Rattay's multi-season tenure and 16 starts created unusually strong direct value from a seventh-round pick.