Rich Jackson

Denver traded standout pass rusher Rich Jackson to Cleveland for a 1973 third-round pick, ending the Broncos tenure of one of the AFL's most feared defensive linemen. Jackson had been a two-time AFL All-Star and one of the franchise's early pass-rush standouts, so the return now looks light even if his peak was fading. Denver recovered only a mid-round pick for a proven defender with real historical stature. The Browns side carries a better hindsight grade because they bought a known pass rusher at a modest acquisition cost.

Denver acquired Richard Tyson / Dick Tyson; Ray Schmautz; Rich Jackson from Oakland Raiders in exchange for Lionel Taylor; Jerry Sturm. Denver swapped Lionel Taylor for Richard Tyson / Dick Tyson, a direct player-value trade with limited evidence of a major long-term swing. The grades remain modest because the available record supports a useful roster exchange, not a clear franchise-changing win.