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San Francisco 49ers: Grading John Lynch’s first year as general manager

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

A+. . John Lynch. San Francisco 49ers. 2017 SEASON TRADES

John Lynch was plenty active on the trade market this season too.

And while not every deal worked out to the Niners’ benefit, there’s one that clearly shines above the rest. Yes, we’re talking about the deal for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Getting Garoppolo from the New England Patriots for a second-round pick is about as big a steal there is. Sure, the relationship between Pats head coach Bill Belichick and Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan played a big role. But Lynch had to sign off on it too.

Good thing he did. San Francisco appears to have its signal-caller in place for the long run.

A number of other moves were pretty beneficial as well.

2017 49ers Trades

  • OL Jeremy Zuttah from the Baltimore Ravens
  • RB Kapri Bibbs from the Denver Broncos
  • OL Laken Tomlinson from the Detroit Lions
  • Traded TE Vance McDonald to the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • QB Jimmy Garoppolo from the New England Patriots
  • Traded CB Rashard Robinson to the New York Jets

Offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah didn’t win out the camp competition with center Daniel Kilgore, resulting in the former’s release prior to the regular season.

But credit Lynch for getting something of value for underachieving Trent Baalke-era draft picks, Vance McDonald and Rashard Robinson, therefore allowing other players — Ahkello Witherspoon and George Kittle — to emerge as long-term fixtures.

Overall, though, that Garoppolo deal is looking pretty sweet right now. Considering the importance of the position, an A-plus grade is almost too little.

Would A-plus-plus count? It should.