Cincinnati Bengals received Taylor Mays in the 2011-08-23…
Cincinnati Bengals received Taylor Mays in the 2011-08-23 exchange involving San Francisco 49ers. Mays remained with Cincinnati from 2011 through 2014, appearing in 50 regular-season games with four starts while contributing as defensive depth and on special teams. That realized return supports a C+ grade for Cincinnati Bengals. The overall verdict is Cincinnati Bengals Win, with the grade based on direct value created from this transaction.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- player Taylor Mays
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 2013 7th round pick (227th overall subsequently traded, Garrett Gilkey )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Cincinnati acquired safety Taylor Mays from San Francisco for a future seventh-round selection that became part of the 2013 draft. The deal is judged by the value each club directly realized from the assets it controlled, without assigning later production to a team after an asset had moved elsewhere.
Cincinnati Bengals Return
Mays remained with Cincinnati from 2011 through 2014, appearing in 50 regular-season games with four starts while contributing as defensive depth and on special teams. The C+ grade reflects that direct outcome in proportion to the cost and scale of the transaction. A minor trade does not need to create a star to be useful, but sustained starts, dependable role value, or retained draft capital matter more than name recognition alone.
San Francisco 49ers Return
San Francisco received only a late seventh-round asset, a reasonable return for moving a player who no longer fit its plans but a limited payoff compared with several years of roster utility. The C grade reflects that direct outcome in proportion to the cost and scale of the transaction. A minor trade does not need to create a star to be useful, but sustained starts, dependable role value, or retained draft capital matter more than name recognition alone.
Value in Hindsight
Mays never became a major defensive starter in Cincinnati, which keeps the Bengals' grade in the middle range. Four seasons and 50 appearances, however, are meaningful realized value from the price of a seventh-round pick. The comparison stays proportional to the size of the exchange and focuses on what each organization actually received while it controlled the acquired player or pick.
Final Verdict
Cincinnati wins narrowly because it obtained sustained roster utility for minimal draft cost. Final grades: Cincinnati Bengals C+, San Francisco 49ers C. The final verdict is Cincinnati Bengals Win.