San Francisco acquired Jim Leonard and received nine games of…
San Francisco acquired Jim Leonard and received nine games of service from him in 1985. The contribution was modest, but it was real regular-season value from a late-round transaction. Because Tampa Bay's acquired twelfth-round selection became Mike Crawford, who produced no regular-season Buccaneers value, the 49ers finished slightly ahead.
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Jim Leonard
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- pick 1986 twelfth round pick (#324- Mike Crawford )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 9, 1985, San Francisco acquired Jim Leonard from Tampa Bay for a 1986 twelfth-round pick. That selection was No. 324 and became Mike Crawford. The transaction involved the lowest part of the draft and a player with a limited role, so expectations should remain modest. Even so, one side received actual regular-season service and the other did not.
San Francisco 49ers Return
Leonard appeared in nine games for the 49ers in 1985. He was not a long-term fixture, but nine games of immediate depth are meaningful in a deal built around a twelfth-round selection. San Francisco converted a very late future choice into a player who reached the active roster and contributed that season, which is enough to create a small but visible edge.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return
The Buccaneers received the 1986 twelfth-round choice and used it on Mike Crawford at No. 324. Crawford did not produce regular-season value for Tampa Bay. A pick that late always carries substantial uncertainty, so the result is not an unusual failure, but it still means the Buccaneers did not turn their side of the trade into the same level of direct service.
Value in Hindsight
This is a minor transaction where the difference should not be exaggerated. San Francisco's benefit was only nine games, while Tampa Bay's return was a very late draft chance. The 49ers nevertheless realized something concrete from Leonard, and the Buccaneers did not realize a comparable result from Crawford. That makes San Francisco the better side by a limited margin.
Final Verdict
San Francisco receives a C+ and Tampa Bay receives a D+. The 49ers win because Leonard supplied nine games of usable depth, while the No. 324 selection did not generate regular-season Buccaneers value.