The Jets traded Johnny "Lam" Jones to San Francisco on July…
The Jets traded Johnny "Lam" Jones to San Francisco on July 23, 1987 for a 1988 draft choice that became fifth-round pick No. 131. Onzy Elam was not part of the return; New York signed its own third-round draftee that same day. Jones was released by the 49ers before the season, while the Jets recycled No. 131 in a later draft move, giving New York a B- to D+ win.
New York Jets Received
- pick 1988 fifth round pick (#131- Dennis Price )
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Johnny Jones / Lam Jones
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The July 23, 1987 transaction was Lam Jones to San Francisco for a 1988 draft choice. Contemporary transaction coverage separately notes that the Jets signed linebacker Onzy Elam, their own third-round selection, on the same day. That distinction matters because Elam should not appear as compensation from the 49ers. The draft choice is traceable as fifth-round pick No. 131.
New York Jets Return
New York moved on from a former premium pick whose previous seasons had been disrupted by injuries and received a usable fifth-round asset. The Jets later included No. 131 in the package used to move into the third round. Even without assigning all later value to this one trade, turning Jones into a recyclable draft chip was materially better than losing him for nothing.
San Francisco 49ers Return
San Francisco took a low-cost chance on Jones as it searched for receiving help. The experiment ended quickly: the 49ers released him in August before he appeared in a regular-season game for the club. Giving up a fifth-round choice for a player who produced no regular-season value is a clear negative, although the modest acquisition price keeps the grade from sinking further.
Value in Hindsight
The transaction is decisive once the mistaken Onzy Elam asset is removed. New York received a legitimate draft choice and preserved value; San Francisco received no regular-season production from Jones. That supports a Jets win with a meaningful but not enormous grade gap, reflecting both the failed 49ers acquisition and the fact that only a fifth-round selection changed hands.
Final Verdict
The final call is New York Jets Win. New York Jets receives a B- grade and San Francisco 49ers receives a D+ grade. The grades emphasize the assets that actually survived the transaction, the useful NFL production generated after the move, and the price each club paid. The result stays proportional to the size of the deal and does not turn a depth move or late-round asset into a franchise-changing event.