Detroit Lions–Los Angeles Rams Trade History

Detroit acquired linebacker Bob Long from Los Angeles in October 1955 for a 1956 second-round pick. Long became a multi-year Lions starter and started nine games on the 1957 NFL championship team. The Rams used No. 14 on USC end Leon Clarke, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and gave Los Angeles four productive seasons. Both clubs won value, with the Rams’ return slightly stronger.

Detroit acquired defensive end Sam Williams from Los Angeles for Jim David in March 1960 and received six seasons of meaningful defensive-line value. Williams played 79 games for the Lions, started 54, and is credited with 26 sacks, including 24.5 from 1962 through 1965. David did not return to the field for Los Angeles; he was brought in to coach the secondary. Detroit clearly won the player-value side of the deal.

Detroit acquired Hall of Fame back Ollie Matson from Los Angeles for veteran guard Harley Sewell on August 20, 1963. The famous names outweigh the actual return: Matson appeared in eight Lions games, rushing 13 times for 20 yards and catching two passes for 20 more, while Sewell played only two Rams games. Detroit gets a narrow edge on slightly greater usable service.

Los Angeles acquired six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Roger Brown from Detroit for three premium draft choices: a 1968 first-rounder used on Earl McCullouch, a 1968 third-rounder used on Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders, and a 1969 second-rounder used on Jim Yarbrough. Brown immediately strengthened an elite Rams defense, but Detroit converted the package into three long-term starters, giving the Lions the greater enduring return.

Los Angeles sent quarterback Bill Munson and a 1969 third-round pick to Detroit for Milt Plum, Pat Studstill, Tommy Watkins and Detroit's 1969 first-round choice. The Rams used No. 8 on Larry Smith, who produced more than 3,000 scrimmage yards in Los Angeles, while Studstill added useful punting value. Munson gave Detroit several seasons of quarterback play, making this a real exchange rather than a rout.

Detroit received Dick Evey and got 11 games, eight starts and an estimated one sack from him in 1971. Los Angeles used the 1972 No. 120 pick on guard Bob Childs, who never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Evey's Lions stint lasted only one season, so the return stops at B-, but a genuine starting role clearly outweighs a draft selection that produced no league games.

Detroit Lions received 1973 third round pick (#75-Levi Johnson), while Los Angeles Rams received Al Clark. Detroit sent Al Clark to Los Angeles for the Rams' 1973 third-round choice, later No. 75 Levi Johnson. The supported history provides enough detail to judge the exchange without overstating uncertain downstream information. Detroit Lions earns a B grade, and the overall verdict is Detroit Lions Win.

Detroit Lions received Brian Goodman from Los Angeles Rams in the 1973-07-21 trade. Detroit acquired Brian Goodman, but Pro Football Archives shows the Lions released him before the 1973 regular season, so Detroit realized no regular-season contribution. Los Angeles Rams's return was 1974 ninth round pick (#221-Derek Williams). Los Angeles received the 1974 ninth-round pick and used it on Derek Williams, making the draft choice the Rams' realized return. Those realized outcomes, rather than the labels on the assets alone, drive the hindsight grade.

Detroit sent Jim Teal to Los Angeles for the Rams’ 1975 ninth-round pick, then used that acquired pick in the August trade for Leroy Mitchell. Mitchell was released before playing a regular-season game for Detroit, while Teal never appeared in a Rams regular-season game. With neither return producing NFL value for its new club, both sides receive a D and the verdict is Even Trade.

Detroit received Nos. 187 and 231 and selected Victor Simmons and Dan Wagoner. Simmons did not become a meaningful Lions contributor, but Wagoner supplied multiple seasons of NFL service and spent part of that career in Detroit. The package was modest, yet the added usable tenure gives the Lions a small realized-value edge over the Rams' single selection.

Detroit acquired veteran defensive lineman Mike Fanning for a future fifth-round pick. Fanning played 14 games with five starts for the Lions in 1983 and recorded a sack and a safety, giving Detroit immediate rotation and starting value. For a modest future selection, one full season of useful defensive-line service represents a solid return.

Detroit ultimately sent tight end David Hill to the Rams for Los Angeles' 1984 third-round pick, No. 75, after the original Rod Perry-plus-1985-pick arrangement was voided when Perry failed his Lions physical. Detroit used No. 75 on defensive lineman Steve Baack, who played 55 games for the Lions from 1984 through 1987.

Detroit Lions received 1986 twelfth round pick (selection not identified) from Los Angeles Rams, while Los Angeles Rams received James McDonald in the 1985-10-15 deal. In hindsight, Detroit Lions's return did not separate far enough from Los Angeles Rams to justify a higher grade. The final grades are B- for Detroit Lions and B- for Los Angeles Rams, producing a verdict of Even Trade. The rating reflects the documented package, the certainty of the consideration, and the football value that can actually be assigned in hindsight.

Detroit traded tight end Pat Carter to the Los Angeles Rams in August 1989 for a 1990 fourth-round pick that became No. 105 Chris Oldham. Oldham played one season for Detroit, while Carter spent multiple seasons with the Rams and eventually became a regular starter. The Rams received substantially more sustained team value from the direct exchange.

Detroit traded quarterback Chuck Long to the Los Angeles Rams in May 1990 for a 1991 third-round pick, later No. 58 Reggie Barrett. Long appeared in only four Rams games and attempted five passes, while Barrett also had a limited Detroit career. Neither return became important, but Detroit at least converted a fading quarterback asset into valuable third-round draft capital.

Detroit moved from No. 82 to No. 70 for tight end David Sloan, giving the Rams Nos. 82 and 115. Sloan became a long-term Lions contributor, playing 110 NFL games, catching 192 passes and earning a Pro Bowl selection. The Rams selected kicker Steve McLaughlin and tight end Lovell Pinkney; each played only eight NFL games. Detroit turned a modest move up into the only durable player.

Detroit acquired running back Greg Hill from St. Louis on August 31, 1999 for fifth- and seventh-round picks in the 2000 draft. Hill gave the Lions 542 rushing yards, 77 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 14 games, starting eight times during a playoff season. St. Louis gained two future selections, but the immediate on-field return Detroit received makes the deal a modest Lions win rather than a major swing.

Detroit Lions received 2007 5th round pick (154th overall subsequently traded, Clifton Ryan) in the deal with Los Angeles Rams. Detroit later combined pick 154 with another fifth-rounder to move up for Manuel Ramirez, who eventually started 15 Lions games. The draft asset produced useful downstream value. That outcome supports a B- for Detroit Lions. The Los Angeles Rams Win verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

Detroit moved up to No. 117 and selected Manny Ramirez. During his original Lions stint from 2007 through 2009, Ramirez appeared in 18 games with 15 starts, giving Detroit a legitimate stretch of offensive-line service. His separate return to Detroit in 2015 is not part of this exchange, leaving the original contribution useful but smaller than the Rams' combined direct return.

Detroit Lions received Orien Harris, while Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams received Ronald Curry. Detroit acquired defensive tackle Orien Harris and St. Louis acquired wide receiver Ronald Curry. Harris made Detroit's initial roster but was waived in September without appearing in a regular-season game for the Lions, while Curry was released by the Rams before the 2009 season. That outcome supports a D grade for Detroit Lions, a D for Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, and a Even Trade verdict.

Detroit Lions received Greg Robinson in the exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Robinson played six games for Detroit in 2017 before an injury ended his season. The Lions received emergency tackle help, but the contribution was brief and did not become a longer-term answer. The D+ grade reflects the direct value Detroit Lions realized from the deal, while the Los Angeles Rams Win call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

Detroit Lions received Michael Brockers from Los Angeles Rams. Brockers played 22 regular-season games with 21 starts over two Detroit seasons, giving the Lions substantial immediate veteran service for a minimal acquisition cost. The B grade reflects the direct value Detroit Lions realized from the transaction, with the final Detroit Lions Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.

The Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade is one of the rare NFL blockbusters where both teams can claim victory. The Rams got a Super Bowl quarterback. The Lions got Jared Goff, major draft value, and the foundation for a new competitive era. Los Angeles won the immediate bet, while Detroit won the broader reset. It stands out because the Rams got the championship payoff and the Lions still turned the return into lasting roster value.