Rick Middleton

Detroit moved center Dave Thompson and the No. 13 pick to New Orleans for the No. 8 pick and a 1975 sixth-round choice. The Lions used No. 8 on linebacker Ed O'Neil, who played six seasons for Detroit and started 60 games; the later sixth-rounder became Fred Cooper, who did not play in the NFL. New Orleans selected Rick Middleton at No. 13, and both Middleton and Thompson lasted only two seasons with the Saints. That balance of realized value gives the edge to Detroit Lions.

Washington received safety Bryant Salter plus the 1975 eighth-round choice that became Wayne Hoffman. San Diego ultimately received a 1976 third-round pick, a 1977 second-round pick and a 1977 third-round pick after the conditional terms were settled. Salter started 13 games for Washington in 1975. Washington got a useful starter and an additional pick, but San Diego accumulated three higher future selections and later used or moved those assets in subsequent transactions. The Chargers hold a narrow value edge rather than the lopsided result the old record implied.

San Diego sent quarterback Bobby Douglass and a 1976 third-round choice to New Orleans for linebacker Rick Middleton. Middleton spent multiple seasons with the Chargers but was primarily depth, starting only twice across his San Diego tenure. The return was serviceable, yet it did not match the immediate quarterback value New Orleans received.