Los Angeles traded the contract rights to Heisman Trophy…
Los Angeles traded the contract rights to Heisman Trophy quarterback Gary Beban to Washington for a 1969 first-round pick. The Rams used the No. 10 selection on receiver Jim Seymour. Seymour had only a modest three-year NFL career, but Beban appeared in just five games and never became Washington's quarterback of the future, leaving Los Angeles with the superior realized value.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1969 first round pick (#10-Jim Seymour)
Washington Commanders Received
- other rights to Gary Beban
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
The Rams drafted UCLA star Gary Beban in the second round in 1968 but could not reach a contract agreement. On June 14 they sent his rights to Washington for a 1969 first-round pick. Washington signed Beban three days later, while Los Angeles eventually used the acquired No. 10 selection on Notre Dame receiver Jim Seymour.
Why Washington's Bet Failed
Beban arrived with enormous college credentials, including the Heisman Trophy, but the professional opportunity never developed. With Sonny Jurgensen entrenched, Beban appeared in only five NFL games and produced essentially no lasting quarterback value. Washington paid premium draft capital for a player who never became part of the club's long-term solution at the position.
How Much Los Angeles Actually Gained
The Rams did not convert the pick into a star. Seymour played three NFL seasons, caught 21 passes for 385 yards and five touchdowns, and never justified the expectations normally attached to a top-ten selection. That limits the grade for Los Angeles. Still, the Rams successfully converted unsigned rights into a first-round asset and received more realized NFL production from Seymour than Washington obtained from Beban.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles wins, but not by a landslide. The process and asset conversion were excellent; the eventual draft result was merely modest. Washington's decision was much harder to defend because it spent a first-round pick for almost no playing value. A B for the Rams and D for Washington captures a clear win without pretending Seymour became a cornerstone.