The 2011 Colin Kaepernick Trade: San Francisco Turned Three Picks Into a Super Bowl QB
San Francisco sent picks 45, 108 and 141 to Denver to move up for Colin Kaepernick, a gamble that soon produced a Super Bowl appearance and another NFC title-game run.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2011 second-round pick (No. 45, Rahim Moore )
- pick 2011 fourth-round pick (No. 108, Quinton Carter )
- pick 2011 fifth-round pick (No. 141; subsequently traded)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 2011 second-round pick (No. 36, Colin Kaepernick )
Trade Summary
San Francisco paid picks Nos. 45, 108 and 141 to move to No. 36 for Colin Kaepernick. The quarterback became the centerpiece of a Super Bowl run and another NFC Championship appearance, giving the 49ers rare second-round upside. Denver received Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter plus a fifth-round asset, producing useful defensive starters but not the same franchise-level peak.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
On April 29, 2011, San Francisco moved from No. 45 to No. 36 by sending Denver its second-rounder plus picks Nos. 108 and 141. The 49ers selected Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Denver used No. 45 on safety Rahim Moore and No. 108 on safety Quinton Carter, while the fifth-round selection at No. 141 was subsequently dealt rather than becoming a direct Broncos draft choice.
San Francisco’s Quarterback Bet
Kaepernick spent his rookie year behind Alex Smith, then took over during the 2012 season. His combination of arm strength and open-field rushing transformed the offense. He led San Francisco through the NFC playoffs and into Super Bowl XLVII, then returned to the NFC Championship Game the following season. For a second-round quarterback, that peak represented enormous surplus value.
Denver’s Defensive Return
The Broncos did not whiff on the trade-down. Moore became a multi-year starter in the secondary, and Carter contributed as a rookie and during Denver’s 2011 playoff run before injuries interrupted his trajectory. The extra fifth-round asset also preserved flexibility. Denver therefore received real roster value rather than merely accumulating low-impact selections.
How the Outcomes Compare
The distinction is ceiling. Moore and Carter were useful pieces on good Denver teams, but neither became the engine of a championship-caliber offense. Kaepernick’s starting tenure was shorter than a franchise would ideally want, yet his playoff impact was substantial enough to outweigh Denver’s broader package.
Final Verdict
San Francisco earns an A because the move produced a Super Bowl starting quarterback and multiple deep postseason runs. Denver earns a B for converting one pick into several useful assets. The Broncos executed a defensible trade-down, but Kaepernick’s peak makes the 49ers the clear winner.
Kaepernick's Super Bowl run created a higher peak than Denver's useful defensive haul from moving down.