Pittsburgh acquired rookie Steve Smith from San Francisco in…
Pittsburgh acquired rookie Steve Smith from San Francisco in 1966 for a future third-round choice. Smith appeared in only three games for the Steelers. San Francisco used Pittsburgh's 1967 third-round pick, No. 62, on linebacker Frank Nunley, who played 137 games with 91 starts for the 49ers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Steve Smith
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1967 third-round pick (No. 62; Frank Nunley)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The 49ers official historical transaction ledger states that San Francisco traded tight end Steve Smith to Pittsburgh in 1966 for a No. 3 pick in the 1967 draft. The same club record identifies the resulting selection as Frank Nunley. Pro Sports Transactions lists the move with an approximate July 1 date and also connects the Pittsburgh-origin choice to No. 62. Because the exact day is not independently firm, the legacy date remains an approximate archival date even though the assets are now source-safe.
Pittsburgh's Return
Smith was San Francisco's fifth-round selection in the 1966 draft. NFL and Pro Football Reference records show him appearing in only three games for Pittsburgh in 1966 without a start. He later built a substantial NFL career with Minnesota and Philadelphia, but that later value did not accrue to the Steelers. Pittsburgh therefore received only a brief three-game contribution from the player it acquired.
San Francisco's Return
The 49ers used Pittsburgh's 1967 third-round pick, No. 62, on Michigan linebacker Frank Nunley. NFL records credit Nunley with 137 regular-season games and 91 starts for San Francisco from 1967 through 1976. He became a long-term defensive starter during the club's early-1970s playoff run and supplied roughly a decade of roster value from the asset received in this trade.
Final Verdict
San Francisco 49ers Win. Pittsburgh gets a D+ because Smith produced only three games for the Steelers before his career continued elsewhere. San Francisco earns an A because the future third-round choice became Nunley, a 137-game, 91-start linebacker who remained with the 49ers for ten seasons.