Los Angeles traded Don Burroughs to Philadelphia for the 1962…
Los Angeles traded Don Burroughs to Philadelphia for the 1962 fifth-round pick that became No. 68 Ben Wilson. Wilson gave the Rams 41 games, 24 starts and nine touchdowns over three seasons. Burroughs delivered the larger return: 64 games, 62 starts and 29 interceptions for Philadelphia, beginning with nine interceptions on the 1960 NFL championship team. Both sides gained value, but the Eagles gained substantially more.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1962 fifth round pick (#68- Ben Wilson )
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Don Burroughs
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On September 16, 1960, the Rams sent defensive back Don Burroughs to Philadelphia for a 1962 fifth-round selection. The draft ledger identifies that pick as No. 68, which Los Angeles used on fullback Ben Wilson. Both sides therefore have direct, traceable football outcomes rather than an unresolved pick chain.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles received genuine value from Wilson. Across three Rams seasons from 1963 through 1965, he appeared in 41 games and started 24. He scored seven rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns, giving the club a useful multi-year fullback rather than a failed late-round selection. A B+ recognizes that the Rams converted a fifth-rounder into a regular contributor with substantial starting experience.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia received the stronger player outcome. Burroughs played 64 games for the Eagles and started 62, intercepting 29 passes over five seasons. His impact began immediately in 1960, when he started 11 games, intercepted nine passes, earned second-team AP recognition and played on Philadelphia's NFL championship team. That combination of longevity, starting volume and takeaways makes his return clearly more valuable than ordinary depth.
Value in Hindsight
This is not a case where one side failed. Wilson's 41 games and 24 starts are meaningful value from a fifth-round choice, and that keeps Los Angeles' grade strong. Burroughs simply created more separation: he was a near-every-week starter for five years and a major ball producer in the secondary. The comparison uses only the direct player outcomes from the exchanged assets.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win. The Eagles receive A for five productive seasons and 29 interceptions from Burroughs. The Rams earn B+ for turning No. 68 into three useful seasons from Wilson.