Denver Broncos–Las Vegas Raiders Trade History

Denver Broncos received Stan Fanning, 1964 sixth round pick (#47-Al Denson) from Las Vegas Raiders. Denver received Stan Fanning and the sixth-round choice that became Al Denson. Denson developed into a seven-season Bronco, giving Denver a durable return well beyond the immediate player component of the package. That outcome supports a B grade for Denver Broncos. The final verdict is Denver Broncos Win, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Denver Broncos received Archie Matsos. The locked Wave 209 research supports the C+ grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against Las Vegas Raiders, that documented return supports the final verdict of Las Vegas Raiders Win.

Denver sent Willie Brown and Mickey Slaughter to Oakland and received Rex Mirich plus the 1967 third-round pick used on Tom Rhoads. Mirich and the draft return did not approach the value Brown later created for the Raiders. Denver did receive multiple assets, but the exchange cost the Broncos a future Hall of Fame cornerback and left them with the clearly weaker outcome.

Denver acquired Rich Jackson, Ray Schmautz, and Dick Tyson from Oakland for Lionel Taylor and Jerry Sturm. Jackson developed into a cornerstone of the Broncos defense and became the defining long-term asset in the exchange. Oakland received an accomplished receiver in Taylor and a veteran lineman in Sturm, but Sturm left camp and was released during the season, limiting the Raiders' overall return.

Denver Broncos received Rick Egloff. Denver received Rick Egloff, but he did not establish a meaningful NFL role for the Broncos after the exchange. Neither acquired player created meaningful regular-season value for his new club, so low matching grades fit the result. That outcome supports a C- grade for Denver Broncos.

Denver acquired Rod Sherman from Oakland for cash before the 1972 season, and Sherman immediately became a major Broncos contributor. He started 13 games and caught 38 passes for 661 yards and three touchdowns that year. With the cash amount undisclosed, Oakland's return stays neutral, while Denver's immediate production earns a clear B+ win.

Los Angeles acquired running back Gaston Green from Denver in April 1993 for a third-round draft choice. Green had recently produced a 1,000-yard season for the Broncos, making the price understandable, but his Raiders contribution was shorter and less consequential than his Denver peak. The deal gave Los Angeles an experienced runner without producing comparable long-term value from the veteran acquisition.

Oakland acquired defensive tackle Gerard Warren from Denver in August 2007 for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft, not a 2007 selection. The condition was met, and Denver's return became No. 139 Ryan Torain. Warren gave the Raiders useful interior play, while the Broncos' draft return produced less value, making this a modest Oakland win.