Detroit Lions: Detroit received McMakin, but his Lions tenure…
Detroit Lions: Detroit received McMakin, but his Lions tenure was brief and did not create lasting value from the trade. The D+ grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Pittsburgh Steelers, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Pittsburgh Steelers Win.
Detroit Lions Received
- player John McMakin
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1977 fifth round pick (#125- Steve Courson )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Detroit acquired John McMakin from Pittsburgh on August 21, 1975 for a 1977 fifth-round selection. Pittsburgh used No. 125 on Steve Courson. The hindsight comparison stays tied to assets that remained connected to this deal. Later success counts only when the club still controlled the player or draft capital produced by the trade, which keeps a modest exchange from being inflated by unrelated moves.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received McMakin, but his Lions tenure was brief and did not create lasting value from the trade. The D+ grade reflects the duration, role, and usefulness of that return. Immediate roster value matters, but short stays or assets that failed to produce meaningful game value limit the ceiling. The grade is scaled to the modest acquisition cost rather than judged against a blockbuster standard.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh used the acquired pick on Steve Courson, who became a long-term Steelers guard and a substantial contributor during the franchise's championship era. The A- grade applies the same measure. Draft choices receive credit for what the club actually obtained or directly converted, while player returns are judged by games, starts, role, and sustained usefulness. That creates a consistent comparison across two very different forms of value.
Value in Hindsight
Courson's years of starting-caliber line value make Pittsburgh the decisive winner. The result is driven by documented direct value rather than hypothetical alternatives. A low-cost trade can still be a clear win when one side receives useful seasons and the other gets almost nothing, while similarly small returns support an even result.
Final Verdict
The final call is Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Final grades: Detroit Lions D+, Pittsburgh Steelers A-. The judgment reflects the supported trade package, direct production, and any downstream draft value the acquiring club itself controlled. It does not assign credit for unrelated later success or penalize either club for outcomes outside this transaction.