San Francisco sent picks 37 and 68 to Denver for the 22nd…
San Francisco sent picks 37 and 68 to Denver for the 22nd selection in the 2006 draft and used it on linebacker Manny Lawson. Lawson became a long-lived NFL starter and contributor. Denver then turned No. 37 into Javon Walker and included No. 68 in a larger move that helped the Broncos climb for Jay Cutler, giving Denver greater flexibility and downstream value.
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 2006 1st round pick (22nd overall, Manny Lawson)
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2006 2nd round pick (37th overall, subsequently traded to Green Bay for Javon Walker ; later used on Jimmy Williams )
- pick 2006 3rd round pick (68th overall, later packaged with 15th overall to the Rams for 11th overall, Jay Cutler; later used on Claude Wroten )
Trade Analysis
Why San Francisco Moved Up
The 49ers wanted linebacker Manny Lawson and paid picks No. 37 and No. 68 to move into Denver's slot at No. 22. San Francisco was choosing certainty around a first-round defender. Denver accepted two premium day-two selections and, importantly, kept the freedom to use those picks in later deals rather than simply making both choices.
What San Francisco Received
Lawson became a legitimate NFL player rather than a draft-day miss. He spent five seasons with the 49ers and went on to a 143-game career with 24.5 sacks. His versatility and longevity gave San Francisco useful value from the move. That is why the 49ers deserve a positive grade even though they surrendered two substantial selections.
How Denver Used the Return
Denver turned the acquired picks into trade currency. Pick No. 37 went to Green Bay for wide receiver Javon Walker. Pick No. 68 was later packaged with Denver's No. 15 selection in the move to No. 11, where the Broncos drafted quarterback Jay Cutler. The third-rounder was only one component of the Cutler move, so it should not receive full credit for the quarterback, but it materially helped Denver maneuver.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Both sides followed coherent strategies. San Francisco paid for the player it wanted and got a durable contributor. Denver maximized optionality, converting the return into pieces of two larger acquisitions. That downstream flexibility pushes the Broncos slightly ahead rather than turning the deal into a lopsided result.
Final Verdict
Denver Broncos Win. Denver earns a B+ for transforming the two selections into valuable trade leverage that helped bring in Walker and Cutler. San Francisco receives a B because Lawson delivered a long, productive NFL career and justified much of the move-up cost. Denver's broader use of the assets creates a narrow but meaningful advantage.