Tampa Bay sent the Rams 1976 fourth- and fifth-round…
Tampa Bay sent the Rams 1976 fourth- and fifth-round selections, No. 94 Gerald Taylor and No. 155 Dwight Scales, for linebacker Jim Peterson on April 8, 1976. Peterson's Buccaneers stay produced almost no lasting value, while Scales became a multi-year Rams contributor. Los Angeles converted one expendable player into two draft assets and earns a B+ to Tampa Bay's D+.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1976 fourth round pick (#94-Gerald Taylor)
- pick 1976 fifth round pick (#155-Dwight Scales)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Jim Peterson
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On April 8, 1976, the expansion Buccaneers acquired Jim Peterson from the Rams for two selections in that year's draft: a fourth-round choice at No. 94 and a fifth-round choice at No. 155. Los Angeles used the picks on Gerald Taylor and Dwight Scales. The exchange gave Tampa Bay an experienced player during roster construction, while the Rams chose to multiply one movable asset into two younger opportunities.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Tampa Bay sent the Rams 1976 fourth- and fifth-round selections, No. 94 Gerald Taylor and No. 155 Dwight Scales, for linebacker Jim Peterson on April 8, 1976. Peterson's Buccaneers stay produced almost no lasting value, while Scales became a multi-year Rams contributor. Los Angeles converted one expendable player into two draft assets and earns a B+ to Tampa Bay's D+.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return
The Rams received two 1976 selections from expansion Tampa Bay for Jim Peterson, using them on Gerald Taylor and Dwight Scales. Peterson appeared only briefly for the Buccaneers, while Scales remained with Los Angeles across multiple seasons and supplied useful receiving and special-teams value. The draft volume and the stronger realized production both favor the Rams, making this a clear Los Angeles win.
Value in Hindsight
The context softens the Buccaneers' grade slightly because an expansion roster had different immediate needs, but hindsight still shows a clear imbalance. Los Angeles turned one player into two shots at younger talent and received several seasons of value from Scales alone. Tampa Bay's side disappeared quickly.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win earns a B+ for the Rams and a D+ for the Buccaneers. The Rams extracted two useful draft assets and meaningful service, while Tampa Bay paid too much for a player who provided almost no lasting return.