San Diego received 1986 fifth- and eleventh-round selections…
San Diego received 1986 fifth- and eleventh-round selections that became Donald Brown and Drew Smetana. Those choices did not produce a return comparable with the immediate pass-rush value Gary Johnson supplied in San Francisco. The D+ grade reflects the limited payoff from the two picks and the clear realized-value gap favoring the 49ers.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1986 fifth round pick (#129-Donald Brown)
- pick 1986 eleventh round pick (#298-Drew Smetana)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Gary Johnson
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1984-09-29, Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers completed this exchange. Los Angeles Chargers received 1986 fifth round pick (#129-Donald Brown); 1986 eleventh round pick (#298-Drew Smetana), while San Francisco 49ers received Gary Johnson. Historical team, player, and draft records support the compensation and provide enough career context to compare what each side actually gained.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
San Diego received 1986 fifth- and eleventh-round selections that became Donald Brown and Drew Smetana. Those choices did not produce a return comparable with the immediate pass-rush value Gary Johnson supplied in San Francisco. The D+ grade reflects the limited payoff from the two picks and the clear realized-value gap favoring the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers Return
San Francisco acquired defensive lineman Gary Johnson, who recorded nine sacks across his first two seasons with the 49ers and contributed immediately to a championship-caliber roster. The A- grade reflects that direct and productive return from two later draft choices. His on-field impact comfortably exceeded San Diego's results from those selections, supporting a 49ers Win verdict.
Value in Hindsight
Gary Johnson's immediate production creates the clearest separation. Nine sacks across his first two San Francisco seasons gave the 49ers meaningful pass-rush value, while San Diego's two later selections produced little comparable return. That direct contribution makes the exchange a strong San Francisco win in hindsight.
Final Verdict
The final call is San Francisco 49ers Win. Los Angeles Chargers earns a D+, and San Francisco 49ers earns a A-. Those grades weigh the supported compensation, the quality and duration of the resulting contributions, and the practical football value each club ultimately realized from the exchange.