San Francisco received fullback Greg Boykin, who played all…
San Francisco received fullback Greg Boykin, who played all 16 games in 1978, started eight, and produced 473 scrimmage yards with two rushing touchdowns. New Orleans received safety Ralph McGill, who played 29 games over two seasons, including all 16 in 1978. Both clubs extracted legitimate short-term value, supporting an even trade.
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Ralph McGill
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Greg Boykin
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
San Francisco's official trade history records the 1978 exchange of fullback Greg Boykin from New Orleans for defensive back Ralph McGill. The player-for-player package is well established and requires no pick-chain reconstruction. That makes the hindsight comparison unusually direct: Boykin's San Francisco production can be weighed against McGill's New Orleans service without assigning value to an unidentified or conditional asset.
San Francisco 49ers Return
San Francisco 49ers: Boykin immediately became a meaningful part of a poor 1978 49ers offense. He appeared in all 16 games, started eight, rushed 102 times for 361 yards and two touchdowns, and added 19 catches for 112 yards. That is 473 scrimmage yards and two scores from a one-season return. His workload gave San Francisco usable backfield production right away even though the tenure did not extend into a long-term role.
New Orleans Saints Return
New Orleans Saints: McGill gave New Orleans two seasons of useful depth and special-teams work. The Saints' 1979 media guide says he played all 16 games in 1978 as a reserve safety and special-teamer, recording 25 tackles and four pass deflections. He then appeared in 13 games with one start and one interception in 1979. That gave the Saints 29 games of service across two seasons from the player they acquired.
Value in Hindsight
Boykin's 1978 offensive workload was more visible, while McGill supplied more games over two seasons and defensive/special-teams depth. Neither player became a long-term centerpiece, but both teams received legitimate roster value from the assets they acquired. Boykin delivered more visible offensive production in a single season, while McGill supplied the longer two-season run and defensive depth. Neither return became a foundational piece, but both created identifiable regular-season value for the acquiring club.
Final Verdict
Even Trade, C+ for both teams. San Francisco received a one-year offensive contributor; New Orleans received two years of secondary and special-teams service. Boykin's 473 scrimmage yards and McGill's 29 Saints appearances represent different but comparable forms of short-term roster value.