TradeVerdicts connects Lyle Alzado to 3 exact
public NFL transactions involving Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Every transaction below comes from an explicit player-to-trade
relationship in the TradeVerdicts database. Name-only substring
matching is not used.
The cards summarize the date, teams, assets, grades, and verdict.
Open the full trade page for the complete analysis and sourcing
context. Grading standards are explained in the
TradeVerdicts methodology.
Chronological Timeline
3 Recorded Trades
Oldest to newest
Trade 1 of 3
Denver Broncos and New England Patriots
Denver Broncos Win Tier: major
Confidence: high
Denver traded kicker Charlie Gogolak to Boston in October 1970 for the Patriots’ 1971 fourth-round pick. The Broncos used the 79th selection on Lyle Alzado, who became an eight-year Denver defensive-line force, a first-team All-Pro and key member of the Orange Crush defense. Gogolak’s Patriots tenure was brief. Turning a veteran kicker into a foundational defender makes this one of Denver’s clearest historical trade wins.
Cleveland acquired veteran defensive end Lyle Alzado and received several productive seasons from a proven pass rusher. Alzado became an important member of the Browns defense, so Cleveland did obtain the immediate veteran value it sought. The price was substantial, however, because Denver turned the draft package into Rulon Jones and additional assets that lasted beyond Alzado’s Cleveland tenure.
Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders Win Tier: major
Confidence: high
Oakland acquired Lyle Alzado and Greg Pruitt from Cleveland in two same-day April 1982 trades, surrendering only an eighth-round pick in 1982 and an eleventh-round pick in 1983. Alzado became a four-year Raiders starter and key defender on the 1983 championship team, while Pruitt supplied veteran depth. The combined return makes Oakland the clear winner.
