Detroit's two draft choices can be traced to Bill Stits at…
Detroit's two draft choices can be traced to Bill Stits at No. 44 in 1954 and Gordon Malloy at No. 39 in 1955. Stits gave the Lions 36 games, 25 starts and 10 interceptions over three seasons; Malloy never played an NFL game. Washington got an immediate star season from Don Doll: 12 starts, 10 interceptions and a Pro Bowl. Both sides earn B grades and an even verdict.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1954 undisclosed pick (possibly #44- Bill Stits )
- pick 1955 undisclosed pick (possibly #39-Gordon Malloy)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Don Doll
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Washington acquired defensive back Don Doll from Detroit on September 14, 1953. Detroit received Washington draft choices in 1954 and 1955. Draft-transaction records citing the clubs' media guides trace those choices to No. 44 Bill Stits in 1954 and No. 39 Gordon Malloy in 1955. That resolves both draft assets to identifiable players rather than leaving them as abstract picks.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit's value came overwhelmingly from Stits. He played three seasons for the Lions from 1954 through 1956, appearing in 36 games with 25 starts. He intercepted 10 passes for Detroit, including six as a rookie and three in 1955, when he returned one for a touchdown. Stits also earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1954. Malloy, the No. 39 choice in 1955, is listed in Detroit's draft record with no NFL seasons or games. Together, the two picks merit a B.
Washington Return
Washington got a shorter but excellent payoff from Doll. In 1953 he started all 12 games at safety, intercepted 10 passes for 102 yards, and earned a Pro Bowl selection. His 10 interceptions ranked third in the NFL that season. Doll moved to the Rams in 1954, so Washington received only one season, but it was a full-time, high-impact year. That also merits a B.
Value in Hindsight
Detroit gained three seasons of substantial secondary play from Stits and nothing on the field from Malloy. Washington gained only one season from Doll, but that season matched Stits' three-year Detroit interception total by itself and carried Pro Bowl recognition. Longevity favors Detroit; peak single-season impact favors Washington.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Detroit earns a B for turning one of the two picks into a multi-year starter and Pro Bowler. Washington earns a B for acquiring a 12-game starter who immediately delivered 10 interceptions and a Pro Bowl season. The returns were different, but both were genuinely valuable.