No. 2: 49ers Quarterback Steve Young
49ers traded a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1987 NFL Draft in exchange for quarterback Steve Young
It’s amazing to think the number of Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame-caliber players the 49ers have acquired over the years via trades.
And the No. 2 player on this list is, perhaps, the best example of grabbing someone in a dead-end situation and turning him into a household name.
In 1987, the Niners had to start thinking about finding an heir apparent to their franchise signal-caller, Joe Montana, even though he was still very much in the prime of his career. Bill Walsh was never hesitant about moving on from players too soon, especially if adequate replacements could be found.
And Walsh found one by plucking quarterback Steve Young away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a mere fourth-round pick after Young’s career in Florida was seemingly going nowhere.
While Young’s presence alongside Montana created some early controversy, the former’s ascent to the throne in the 1990s placed him in the category of all-time greats, well deserving of the No. 2 spot on this list.
Behind the obvious No. 1, of course.