Oakland sent veteran defensive back Nemiah Wilson to Chicago…
Oakland sent veteran defensive back Nemiah Wilson to Chicago for two future selections. The first became Jerome Dove, but the defining asset was the 1977 fifth-rounder used on Lester Hayes. Hayes developed into a five-time Pro Bowler, the 1980 AP Defensive Player of the Year and a cornerstone of two Raiders Super Bowl champions. Chicago received only a brief return from Wilson.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Nemiah Wilson
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 1976 eighth round pick (#220-Jerome Dove)
- pick 1977 fifth round pick (#126-Lester Hayes)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Chicago acquired veteran defensive back Nemiah Wilson from Oakland. The Raiders received an eighth-round choice in 1976 and a fifth-rounder in 1977. The later pick became Lester Hayes, while the earlier selection was used on Jerome Dove.
Why Chicago's Return Was Limited
Wilson brought experience, but the Bears received only a short-term solution. He played one season in Chicago before his NFL career ended. A veteran can justify surrendered draft capital when he fills a need for several years; that sustained payoff never arrived here.
What Lester Hayes Became
Hayes transformed the transaction. Chosen in the fifth round, he became a five-time Pro Bowler, the 1980 AP Defensive Player of the Year and a major part of two Super Bowl champions. He finished with 39 career interceptions and became one of the most recognizable defensive backs in Raiders history.
Why the Draft Cost Looks Tiny in Hindsight
Late-round picks usually carry limited expectations. Oakland did not simply receive two lottery tickets; it hit on one of them at a franchise-changing level. Hayes then sustained that value across championship seasons, multiplying the return far beyond ordinary fifth-round expectations. That creates an enormous value gap compared with one season of veteran service.
Final Verdict
Oakland wins overwhelmingly. Hayes alone would have made the deal a major Raiders success, and the additional 1976 selection only strengthens the return. The Raiders earn an A+ for converting modest draft capital into an elite defensive cornerstone. Chicago receives a D because Wilson's one-year stay never came close to matching the long-term value surrendered.