10 biggest what-ifs in NFL Draft history

1. 49ers don’t trade up to take J.J. Stokes in the NFL Draft (1995)

Not being able to judge an NFL team’s draft until a few years down the road brought on new meaning in 1995. That year, the San Francisco 49ers orchestrated a deal with the Cleveland Browns to obtain the 10th overall pick.

Cleveland had reportedly zeroed in on Penn State tight end Kyle Brady. When the Jets took him at No. 9, the Browns were caught off-guard. In came the 49ers, who gave up their first-round pick (No. 30), a third- and fourth-round choice in ‘95, and their own first-round selection in 1996.

The Niners used the move to grab promising UCLA wide receiver J.J. Stokes. Meanwhile, Cleveland opted for Ohio State linebacker Craig Powell. Stokes never really became an NFL star, but that’s not even the real story here.

The 1995 Browns suffered through a miserable year and during the season it was revealed that the franchise was leaving Cleveland. Fast forward to April of 1996 and the franchise is now known as the Baltimore Ravens. The team still has the Niners’ first-round pick that year. Having already taken UCLA tackle Jonathan Ogden with their own selection at No. 4, the Ravens used the 26th pick on Miami Hurricanes’ linebacker Ray Lewis. What would have happened if the 49ers had stood pat that year?