Pittsburgh acquired Sid Fournet and Dean Derby from the Rams…
Pittsburgh acquired Sid Fournet and Dean Derby from the Rams in September 1957 for future draft consideration. The exact Rams pick chain is not fully settled, but Derby's Pittsburgh value is clear: he became an All-Pro and Pro Bowl defensive back and intercepted 21 passes across his NFL career. The Steelers captured the strongest realized player value and earn an A- to the Rams' C.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1958 draft pick (selection not identified)
- pick 1959 draft pick (possibly #33-Tom Franckhauser)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Sid Fournet
- player Dean Derby
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On September 23, 1957, the Rams moved Sid Fournet and Dean Derby to Pittsburgh for future draft consideration. Historical draft research links at least part of the Rams' return to later selections, but the precise chain is not fully resolved. That uncertainty is not enough to make the transaction ungradable because the player side is well documented and the workflow does not treat a missing downstream pick identity alone as insufficient evidence.
Los Angeles Rams Return Return
Los Angeles recovered future draft capital from two players it was willing to move. That was a reasonable roster-management decision, particularly because Derby had only just been drafted by the Rams. The limitation is that the identifiable selections did not produce a return strong enough to match the talent Pittsburgh received. The Rams deserve credit for getting assets rather than releasing players, but the realized upside remained modest.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return Return
Derby became the centerpiece. He developed into an accomplished Steelers defensive back, earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition and produced a significant interception total during his NFL career. Fournet also joined the Pittsburgh roster and supplied additional veteran value. Acquiring two usable players, including one who became a high-level starter, gave Pittsburgh immediate and sustained benefit from a relatively modest draft outlay.
Value in Hindsight
The strongest hindsight evidence is not a speculative pick chain but the direct production Pittsburgh captured. Even if one of the Rams' future selections can be tied to a useful player, Derby's Pittsburgh peak creates a substantial gap. The trade can be graded confidently without inventing an uncertain downstream asset.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh Steelers Win is the proper verdict. Pittsburgh earns an A- for acquiring a future Pro Bowl-caliber defensive back plus additional value. Los Angeles receives a C for recovering draft compensation but failing to match the Steelers' realized production.