San Francisco traded defensive back Dick Moegle to Pittsburgh…
San Francisco traded defensive back Dick Moegle to Pittsburgh in March 1960 for the Steelers' 1961 first-round pick. The selection landed sixth overall and became Jimmy Johnson, who spent his entire 16-year career with the 49ers, made five Pro Bowls, and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moegle gave Pittsburgh some immediate veteran value, but the long-term comparison is overwhelming.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Dick Moegle
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1961 first round pick (#6-Jimmy Johnson)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
San Francisco sent defensive back Dick Moegle to Pittsburgh on March 13, 1960 and received the Steelers' first-round selection in the 1961 draft. The pick became No. 6 overall. The 49ers used it on UCLA's Jimmy Johnson, a two-way college star who ultimately settled at cornerback and became one of the franchise's greatest defensive players.
Why the Value Tilted
Pittsburgh did receive a real NFL veteran. Moegle had already played for San Francisco and other clubs and appeared for the Steelers in 1960. That keeps Pittsburgh from receiving a failing grade. The problem is duration and upside: the Steelers exchanged a premium future selection for a player whose Pittsburgh contribution was short, while the pick they surrendered became a foundational defender.
How the Outcome Aged
Johnson spent 16 seasons with San Francisco, intercepted 47 passes, earned five Pro Bowl selections and later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 49ers' own history describes him as one of the best man-to-man defenders in league history. Unlike many draft-pick trades where hindsight depends on a chain of later moves, the value here is direct: Pittsburgh's pick became Johnson.
Final Verdict
San Francisco earns an A+ and the win because the acquired first-rounder produced a Hall of Fame cornerback who spent his entire career with the franchise. Pittsburgh earns a C because Moegle supplied some immediate veteran value but nothing remotely comparable in longevity or impact. The trade is one of the clearest examples of a future first-round choice becoming far more valuable than the veteran sent in return.