San Francisco converted the No. 42 pick into two selections:…
San Francisco converted the No. 42 pick into two selections: No. 126 in 2007, used on Dashon Goldson, and No. 29 in 2008, used on Kentwan Balmer. Balmer never started a game for the 49ers, but Goldson developed into a multi-year starting safety and later an All-Pro-caliber player. That high-end Goldson outcome outweighed Tony Ugoh's shorter starting run in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 2007 2nd round pick (42nd overall, Tony Ugoh )
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 2007 4th round pick (126th overall, Dashon Goldson )
- pick 2008 1st round pick (29th overall, Kentwan Balmer )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The Colts wanted offensive tackle Tony Ugoh and used future premium capital to reach the 42nd pick in the 2007 draft. Indianapolis sent San Francisco a 2007 fourth-round selection and its 2008 first-round choice.
Indianapolis Colts Return
Ugoh entered the lineup quickly, starting 11 games as a rookie, 12 in 2008 and four in 2009. He gave Indianapolis 27 starts across those three seasons before his Colts tenure ended.
San Francisco 49ers Return
The 49ers received pick No. 126 in 2007 and used it on safety Dashon Goldson. They also received Indianapolis' 2008 first-rounder, which became No. 29 and was used on defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer. The two selections produced very different results. Balmer appeared in 27 games for San Francisco without making a start, so the first-round component did not meet expectations.
Goldson became the decisive asset. After a developmental start, he became a full-time safety for San Francisco and started every game in 2009 and 2010, then remained a major part of the defense through 2012. His career included 106 NFL starts, and his peak with the 49ers gave San Francisco a quality defensive back from the fourth-round portion of the return.
Value in Hindsight
Indianapolis got some immediate starting value from Ugoh, so this was not a total loss. The cost, however, was a fourth-rounder plus a future first, and Ugoh's starting tenure was relatively short. San Francisco missed on Balmer but still landed the strongest long-term player in Goldson.
Final Verdict
San Francisco 49ers Win. The 49ers earn an A because Goldson's sustained starting value overcame the Balmer miss and justified the package. Indianapolis earns a C-plus because Ugoh did start 27 games for the Colts, but the price was too high for a three-season starting return.