San Francisco moved down nine spots in the sixth round of the…
San Francisco moved down nine spots in the sixth round of the 2004 draft and received pick No. 188, used on punter Andy Lee, plus No. 226. Green Bay used No. 179 on defensive lineman Corey Williams. Lee became a three-time first-team All-Pro and longtime 49ers punter; Williams became a productive Packers starter and was later traded for a second-round pick. Both clubs created exceptional value from late selections.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 2004 6th round pick (179th overall, Corey Williams)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 2004 6th round pick (188th overall, Andy Lee )
- pick 2004 7th round pick (226th overall, Christian Ferrara)
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Green Bay moved from No. 188 to No. 179 in the sixth round of the 2004 draft and sent San Francisco an additional seventh-round selection at No. 226. The Packers used the higher pick on defensive lineman Corey Williams. The 49ers selected punter Andy Lee at No. 188 and Christian Ferrara at No. 226. Ferrara did not become a meaningful NFL contributor, leaving the trade centered on Williams versus Lee.
What the Returns Produced
Lee became one of the NFL's premier punters and remained San Francisco's starter for 11 seasons. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, providing rare longevity and elite performance from a sixth-round specialist. Williams also became a strong result. He played 56 games for Green Bay from 2004 through 2007, emerged as a productive defensive lineman and recorded seven sacks in both 2006 and 2007.
How the Value Developed
Green Bay added another layer of value in 2008 by trading Williams to Cleveland for the 56th overall pick, which the Packers used on quarterback Brian Brohm. Brohm did not develop into a successful Green Bay player, but the ability to convert a sixth-round defender into a second-round asset demonstrates Williams' market value. San Francisco, meanwhile, received more than a decade of elite punting from Lee.
Why This Trade Still Matters
It is unusual for both sides of a late-round pick swap to uncover such strong value. Green Bay found a productive defender with resale value, while San Francisco found an All-Pro specialist who stabilized a position for years. Neither outcome clearly overwhelms the other.
Final Verdict
Even Trade is the best fit. Green Bay and San Francisco each earn an A-. The Packers developed Williams into a productive player and later a second-round asset, while the 49ers received elite, long-term performance from Lee at a very small draft cost.