Where does Christian McCaffrey deal rank among 49ers’ recent trades?

SANTA CLARA — It could be the 49ers’ most beneficial trade since Fred Dean sparked their first Super Bowl push in 1981. Or it could backfire, though probably not on the O.J. Simpson scale from that franchise-mortgaging trade in 1978.

So, where should the 49ers’ trade for Christian McCaffrey immediately register among — to narrow the historical scope — the dozens of deals swung by this current regime, headed by general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan?

The following list is reliant upon statistics, cost-benefit analysis or Super Bowl wins, seeing how none of the latter have come since January 1995. Here are the 49ers’ five-best trades since 2017:

5. (tie) Dee Ford

A chronic back injury halted Ford’s career and the 49ers certainly didn’t get their money’s worth. But his pass-rush presence opposite Nick Bosa was pivotal in their 2019 team’s run to the Super Bowl.

5. (tie) Laken Tomlinson

This is arguably the 49ers’ most underrated move. They got Tomlinson, a former first-round pick, out of Detroit for a fifth-rounder, and he became not only a reliable starter at left guard, but a Pro Bowler. Then he cashed out this spring for the New York Jets.

4. Emmanuel Sanders 

The 49ers yearned for an offensive spark and a veteran leader despite a 6-0 start, and Sanders brought the perfect presence, up until Jimmy Garoppolo overthrew him on a potential game-winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. Sanders cost them a third- and fourth-round pick; Denver sent a fifth-rounder along with Sanders.

3. Trent Williams

With franchise icon Joe Staley retiring after Super Bowl LIV, the 49ers brought in a perennial Pro Bowler to not only play left tackle but serve as arguably the NFL’s best offensive lineman (or overall player, as teammates contend). Williams finally made All-Pro last year, and the 49ers got a steal in giving up just third- and fourth-round picks to Washington.

2. Christian McCaffrey

Swiping an All-Pro caliber, versatile play-maker for a quartet of draft picks (none of which are first-rounders) should spark a 49ers’ offense and fulfill coach Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling dreams.

1. Jimmy Garoppolo

As polarizing a player as he may be, he is a quarterback, and this franchise was in despair until his Oct. 30, 2017 gift from the New England Patriots. For a second-round draft pick that New England used in a series of subsequent trades, the 49ers got a QB who’s gunning for his third NFC Championship Game in four seasons. And now he has extra help (see: No. 2, McCaffrey).