The San Francisco 49ers have never been afraid to make a major splash in the trade market under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, be it for a star or in the draft. Some have worked out, while others have set the team back, leading to where we are in 2026.
With the offseason in full swing, let’s look back at the biggest trades for the franchise since 2020 and see how they fared for the 49ers.
2020: 49ers trade DeForest Buckner for a first-round pick
One of the more scrutinized trades for the 49ers under
Kyle Shanahan was trading star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Buckner had developed into a star and had a Pro Bowl and All-Pro seasons before being traded, but the 49ers elected to keep Arik Armstead at a cheaper cost and move the defensive tackle ahead of his age-26 season. They selected his replacement, Javon Kinlaw, with the No. 13 pick, and that never panned out for the 49ers.
Kinlaw had an injury history heading into the NFL, and that proved to be an issue for the 49ers, while the defensive tackle just never developed in San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Buckner put together a first-team All-Pro season in 2020 and two more Pro Bowl seasons in the three years after that.
2020: 49ers trade for Trent Williams
One of the best trades in recent history for the 49ers was sending third and fifth-round picks to the Washington Commanders during the 2020 NFL Draft for star left tackle Trent Williams.
Williams had been at odds with the Commanders over the handling of his scary health situation, and the 49ers made the trade to acquire the star, who replaced franchise icon Joe Staley.
Williams ended up being one of the best 49ers (if not the best) of the decade, being a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time 1st Team All Pro selection. For that price, especially given the going rate for tackles, this was a huge trade for the 49ers.
2021: 49ers trade up for Trey Lance
The biggest blunder of the Shanahan era ended up being the trade up to No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, where the 49ers sent the No. 12 pick, a 2022 first-rounder, a 2023 first-rounder, and a 2022 third-round compensatory pick.
The trade was made a month away from the draft, which was interesting on its own, and the 49ers were clearly looking to pick a quarterback, despite having Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster on his five-year, $137.5 million deal.
They ultimately took Trey Lance in a move that didn’t pan out for the 49ers. Lance dealt with a number of injuries, wasn’t consistent enough on the field in a very limited sample, and lost his job to Brock Purdy after missing a full year due to his broken ankle.
San Francisco ultimately moved on from him ahead of his third NFL season, trading him to the Dallas Cowboys. But the trade ended up being a huge disaster for the 49ers in the midst of their championship window, depleting them of key assets for a quarterback who only made four starts for the team.
2022: 49ers make deadline deal for Christian McCaffrey
Talking about trading for stars, the 49ers made a huge blockbuster deal at the trade deadline in 2022, sending a second, third, fourth, and fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Christian McCaffrey.
In turn, McCaffrey has given the 49ers two All-Pro seasons in his two healthy years, while also winning an Offensive Player of the Year award and a Comeback Player of the Year award.
While injuries have popped up, the McCaffrey trade ended up being a huge success for the 49ers, as the star flourished in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He’s set to play a big role again in 2026.
2023: 49ers trade for Chase Young at the deadline
In the midst of another major season, the 49ers made a move for Chase Young at the trade deadline in 2023, as they looked to add pass rush for a potential Super Bowl push, sending a third-rounder to the Washington Commanders in return.
Young didn’t have the best season in San Francisco, racking up 2.5 sacks in nine games with the 49ers. While his impact was inconsistent at times, he still did have a role on the 49ers team that made the Super Bowl that season.
Young has flourished since with the New Orleans Saints, putting up a 10-sack season in 2025. But the trade produced mixed results for the 49ers back in 2023, as Young didn’t have the best production for a half-year rental.
2026: 49ers trade for Osa Odighizuwa
We’ll see how this trade ultimately pans out, but the 49ers traded for Osa Odighizuwa this offseason, sending a third-round pick in return for the Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle.
The 49ers had a clear need at defensive tackle, and now get a pass-rusher that can be a three-down player and work alongside second-year pros Alfred Collins and C.J. West.
Odighizuwa is in his prime and will get the opportunity this season. We’ll see how well he’s able to play in 2026.
