Los Angeles acquired Seattle’s No. 31 pick in the 1977 draft…
Los Angeles acquired Seattle’s No. 31 pick in the 1977 draft and used it on Nolan Cromwell, who became one of the defining defensive backs of the Rams era. Cromwell spent 11 seasons with the club, reached four Pro Bowls and won major defensive honors, turning a second-round maneuver into elite long-term value.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1977 second round pick (#31-Nolan Cromwell)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Geoff Reece
- pick 1977 second round pick (#51-Peter Cronan)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
The Rams acquired Seattle’s No. 31 selection during the 1977 draft and used it on Kansas defensive back Nolan Cromwell. Seattle received Geoff Reece and the No. 51 choice, which became Peter Cronan. It was a relatively compact exchange on paper, but the eventual careers created a large separation between the two sides.
Why the Rams Get the Edge
Cromwell became far more than a useful second-round starter. He spent 11 seasons with Los Angeles, earned four Pro Bowl selections, collected first-team All-Pro recognition and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. His range and versatility made him a centerpiece of the Rams secondary, and he remained with the franchise through repeated playoff runs after appearing in Super Bowl XIV. That is elite realized value from a pick acquired in a trade.
How Seattle’s Return Held Up
Reece and Cronan gave Seattle roster value, but the return never produced a player with Cromwell’s peak or longevity. For an expansion-era Seahawks team, acquiring multiple pieces rather than one selection was understandable, and the grade should recognize that the club received usable assets rather than nothing. Still, the comparison is ultimately about what each side obtained, and Los Angeles landed one of the best defensive backs in franchise history.
Final Verdict
The Rams earn an A+ because Cromwell turned the acquired pick into 11 seasons of high-end play, major honors and sustained postseason value. Seattle receives a C because the package supplied depth but no comparable long-term cornerstone. Los Angeles won decisively: this was a second-round pick transaction that, through excellent drafting, became a franchise-shaping move.