St. Louis Cardinals received Neal Craig in the 1977-05-04…
St. Louis Cardinals received Neal Craig in the 1977-05-04 exchange with Cleveland Browns, giving up 1977 seventh round pick (#189-Bob Lingenfelter). St. Louis acquired safety Neal Craig in exchange for a seventh-round selection. That return supports a C grade for St. Louis Cardinals. The final verdict is Cleveland Browns Win, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Neal Craig
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1977 seventh round pick (#189-Bob Lingenfelter)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1977-05-04, St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Browns completed a deal in which St. Louis Cardinals received Neal Craig, while Cleveland Browns received 1977 seventh round pick (#189-Bob Lingenfelter). Multiple historical records agree on the player movement, counterparties, and material consideration. That makes the useful hindsight question straightforward: what football value did each club actually receive from the assets attached to this exchange?
St. Louis Cardinals Return
St. Louis acquired safety Neal Craig in exchange for a seventh-round selection. The return is best judged at the scale of the transaction itself. For St. Louis Cardinals, the important point is whether the incoming asset produced usable service or preserved meaningful draft value. Nothing in the documented outcome justifies stretching the grade beyond what the actual return supports, so C is an appropriate mark.
Cleveland Browns Return
Cleveland received the 1977 seventh-round choice used at No. 189 on Bob Lingenfelter. That result defines the other side of the comparison. For Cleveland Browns, the grade should reflect the contribution or draft value that followed from this specific deal, without crediting unrelated roster moves or later transactions. On that basis, C+ fits the value Cleveland Browns ultimately realized.
Value in Hindsight
The Browns at least converted the outgoing player into another draft opportunity, and the available record gives Cleveland a narrow edge rather than a decisive win. Because this was not a franchise-changing exchange, the grade spread should remain proportional to the evidence. Late-round picks, short veteran stints, failed physicals, and nominal cash returns can still matter, but they should not be treated like premium assets. The comparison therefore emphasizes actual service, identifiable draft outcomes, and the direct consequences of the deal.
Final Verdict
The final call is Cleveland Browns Win. St. Louis Cardinals receives C, while Cleveland Browns receives C+. That verdict matches the documented outcome and keeps the judgment tied to the exchange itself. Where the realized returns were close, the grades stay close; where one side obtained clearly more useful football value, the grade separation reflects that advantage without overstating a relatively small transaction.