Denver acquired offensive tackle Andy Maurer from San…

The Exchange

Denver acquired offensive tackle Andy Maurer from San Francisco on September 2, 1977, for a 1978 ninth-round selection. Broncos historical records identify the pick as No. 249, which San Francisco used on Steve McDaniels. That gives this trade a clean player-for-pick structure with a traceable downstream draft result.

Denver Broncos Return

Denver acquired offensive tackle Andy Maurer from San Francisco on September 2, 1977, for a 1978 ninth-round pick that became No. 249, Steve McDaniels. Maurer supplied veteran line help during Denver's Super Bowl XII season, while the late-round selection produced limited downstream value. The Broncos therefore earn the clear hindsight edge.

San Francisco 49ers Return

San Francisco received exactly what it bargained for in the Andy Maurer deal: Denver's 1978 ninth-round selection, eventually used on Steve McDaniels. The pick did not develop into a return that matched Denver's immediate use of Maurer during a Super Bowl season, so the 49ers land near average while the Broncos receive the stronger grade.

Value in Hindsight

Late-round picks are inexpensive trade currency, and Denver turned one into immediate veteran assistance during a championship-caliber season. The deal did not create a star, so it falls short of an A-level transaction. Yet the balance of realized value favors the Broncos comfortably enough for a clear B-plus result.

Final Verdict

The final call is Denver Broncos Win. Denver Broncos receives a B+ grade and San Francisco 49ers receives a C grade. The separation reflects documented post-transaction value rather than the reputation of either player before the move, and the grades stay proportional to the limited scale of the exchange. That standard keeps a minor historical transaction from being graded like a franchise-changing blockbuster.