St. Louis acquired defensive lineman Fred Heron from Green…
St. Louis acquired defensive lineman Fred Heron from Green Bay in the 1966 deal and, after the related 1967 pick settlement, also received Green Bay’s fourth-round selection at No. 105. Heron became a seven-season Cardinal, playing 79 games with 56 starts. The Cardinals gave up the 1968 third-round pick that became Bill Stevens, making the veteran-quality player return the decisive piece.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Fred Heron
- pick 1967 fourth-round pick (#105 Andy Bowling )
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1968 third-round pick (#67 Bill Stevens)
Trade Analysis
A Two-Step Pick Chain
This transaction makes sense only when the 1966 player deal and the 1967 draft-pick settlement are read together. Green Bay sent rookie defensive lineman Fred Heron to St. Louis and initially held the Cardinals’ 1967 fourth-round choice. Before the 1967 draft, St. Louis regained that slot and also received Green Bay’s own fourth-rounder, No. 105, while Green Bay received St. Louis’ 1968 third-round selection.
The Net Package
Treating the Cardinals’ regained No. 97 choice as new value from Green Bay would double-count an asset St. Louis originally owned. The clean net result is Green Bay receiving the 1968 third-round pick, later No. 67 Bill Stevens, while St. Louis receives Heron plus Green Bay’s 1967 fourth-round pick, No. 105 Andy Bowling. That presentation also matches Green Bay’s own draft history, which identifies Stevens as coming from St. Louis for Heron.
Heron Became the Difference
Heron supplied the lasting football value. NFL records credit him with 79 games and 56 starts for the Cardinals from 1966 through 1972. He developed into a durable defensive-line starter during the heart of his career. Green Bay’s eventual third-round selection, quarterback Bill Stevens, did not provide anything close to that sustained return.
Green Bay’s Logic
The Packers were a championship roster with enough depth to convert a young lineman into future draft capital, so the strategy was understandable. The result simply did not favor them. St. Louis acquired a multi-year starter and another draft choice while the centerpiece of Green Bay’s return failed to become a comparable contributor.
Final Verdict
St. Louis Cardinals Win. The Cardinals earn an A- for Heron’s seven-season tenure and the added fourth-round pick. Green Bay receives a D+ because the future third-round return did not offset the player it surrendered.
Heron's seven-season Cardinals tenure dominated the later draft return.