NFL: The best trade in each franchise’s history

Best trade in San Francisco 49ers history: Acquiring Jerry Rice

The San Francisco 49ers managed to pull a ton of lopsided trades. Their rich history includes deals that netted them both Steve Young and Joe Montana. But while they are unquestionably all-time greats, wide receiver Jerry Rice is widely considered the best to ever play the position.

The 49ers were desperate for his services. So much so that they handed two draft picks to the Patriots in order to move up to the 16th spot in the 1985 draft to take their man. Needless to say, Rice was everything they were hoping for and more.

While he played in every game, Rice only started in four of them and wasn’t a primary receiver. On the year, the rookie receiver only managed to make 49 catches. He still wound up with 927 yards. With his production unbelievably high without being one of the focal points on offense, the 49ers decided to make Rice their go to man and it immediately paid off. He unbelievably had 12 seasons of over a thousand yards.

The record books at this point should be nicknamed after him as he holds virtually every record for a wide receiver including receiving touchdowns with 197, yards 22,895, and receptions with 1,549.

Rice is universally known as the best receiver the game has ever seen and although there were plenty of notable names that the 49ers have traded for in their rich history, none can compare to Jerry Rice.