Fourteen months ago, the San Francisco 49ers traded quarterback Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs for two draft picks. With the end of the 2014 NFL Draft, the names on the trade scorecard can be penciled in.
As The MMQB.com's Peter King explained Monday, wheeling-and-dealing 49ers general manager Trent Baalke turned those two picks -- two second-rounders -- into five players:
Tank Carradine, DE (second round, 2013)
Corey Lemonier, LB (third round, 2013)
Carlos Hyde, RB (second round, 2014)
Chris Borland, LB (third round, 2014)
Stevie Johnson, WR (trade for 2015 fourth-round pick)
Baalke traded the two picks a total of five times in the past two years, including obtaining a 2015 fourth-round pick to replace the one given up in the Johnson trade, which is why the veteran is on this list.
Carradine missed last season with an ACL tear. Lemonier played quality minutes in 2013 when Aldon Smith was out of the lineup.
Hyde could be a future replacement for Frank Gore. Borland has a nose for the football and could play a big role with NaVorro Bowman coming off a knee injury.
Baalke made out pretty well, trading a player the organization decided was a backup quarterback. However, the GM wasn't going to gloat about the haul.
"Mixed emotions,'' he told King about how the trade worked out. "I have so much respect for Alex Smith and his family, and great regard for him as a player. He's the epitome of a good man and teammate and a good player. I know the Kansas City Chiefs staff, and they are thrilled to have him. We'll see how it works out for us. It's still early."
It's early in that Baalke still has to pay the young quarterback he chose over Smith.
*The "Around The League Podcast" wrapped up the draft by picking our winners and losers. *
