Cleveland received Detroit's 1951 ninth-round pick, used on…
Cleveland received Detroit's 1951 ninth-round pick, used on Burl Toler, and twelfth-round pick, used on Milan Seillers. Neither selection produced an NFL regular-season career for Cleveland: Toler's playing career ended after a serious knee injury, and Seillers also recorded no NFL regular-season service. The Browns therefore converted two outgoing players into draft capital that produced no on-field return.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1951 ninth round pick (#105-Burl Toler)
- pick 1951 twelfth round pick (#142-Milan Seillers)
Detroit Lions Received
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On September 5, 1950, Cleveland and Detroit completed one combined transaction: the Browns sent Jim Duncan and Bill "Chuck" Schroll to the Lions for Detroit's 1951 ninth-round and twelfth-round draft choices. Pro Sports Transactions traces both picks to the same date and package, resolving the earlier concern that the TradeVerdicts row might have merged two separate deals.
Cleveland Browns Return
Cleveland used the ninth-round selection, No. 105 overall, on Burl Toler and the twelfth-round selection, No. 142 overall, on Milan Seillers. Neither pick produced NFL regular-season playing value for the Browns. Toler suffered a severe knee injury before his professional career began and never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Seillers likewise did not establish an NFL regular-season career. The Browns therefore received two identifiable draft assets, but neither turned into an on-field contributor.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received Duncan and Schroll. Duncan did not provide Detroit regular-season value; his documented 1950 NFL service came with the New York Giants. Schroll did provide a real return. He played all 12 games for Detroit in 1950, started 10, and intercepted two passes from the defensive backfield. His one-season contribution gives the Lions the only substantial realized playing value in the exchange.
Value in Hindsight
The structural question is resolved without splitting the record: reliable draft-transaction evidence ties both Detroit picks and both Cleveland players to the same September 5 deal. In hindsight, Cleveland's two picks both failed to become NFL contributors, while Detroit received a full season and 10 starts from Schroll. Duncan adds no Detroit playing value, so the Lions' advantage rests on Schroll alone.
Final Verdict
Detroit Lions Win. Detroit earns a B- for turning two future draft choices into a 12-game, 10-start contributor in Schroll. Cleveland earns a D because both acquired selections became players who produced no NFL regular-season value for the Browns.