San Francisco acquired pass rusher Tim Harris from Green Bay…
San Francisco acquired pass rusher Tim Harris from Green Bay on September 30, 1991 for a 1992 second-round choice and a 1993 pick that became another second-rounder. Harris played 11 games in 1991, recorded 17 sacks in 1992, and later returned for a productive 1994 postseason. The 1992 selection also came back to San Francisco through compensation tied to Green Bay's hiring of Mike Holmgren.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1992 second round pick (#45-Amp Lee)
- pick 1993 second or third round pick (#54-Darrin Smith)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Tim Harris (David)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
San Francisco acquired holdout pass rusher Tim Harris from Green Bay on September 30, 1991. The Packers received a 1992 second-round choice and a 1993 pick that became a second-rounder based on Harris's role. The 49ers were addressing defensive-line injuries with an established edge threat, while Green Bay chose premium draft capital rather than continue a long contract and availability dispute.
What Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers Received
Harris gave San Francisco immediate and later postseason value. He played 11 games in 1991, started 14 in 1992 and recorded 17 sacks that season. After a year in Philadelphia, he returned to the 49ers late in 1994 and produced 4.5 sacks in three playoff games during the Super Bowl XXIX run. Green Bay did not retain both original selections in a simple way.
How the Value Developed
The 1992 second-rounder, No. 45, returned to San Francisco as compensation tied to Green Bay's hiring of Mike Holmgren. Green Bay retained the 1993 asset, No. 54, and later included it in a package sent to Dallas while moving up in the draft. That means the Packers did realize meaningful trade capital, but one of the two premium selections effectively came back to the 49ers before it could create player value for Green Bay.
Final Verdict
San Francisco 49ers Win. The 49ers received high-impact pass-rush production, including a 17-sack season and a later championship playoff contribution, while also regaining one of the surrendered second-round choices. Green Bay still receives a B- because the remaining 1993 pick retained real value and became part of another draft move. San Francisco earns an A- for the superior direct football return and the favorable later resolution of the 1992 pick.
Harris's seventeen-sack season and later championship contribution drove San Francisco's clear overall advantage.