Cleveland Browns received 1979 seventh round pick (#183-Cody…
Cleveland Browns received 1979 seventh round pick (#183-Cody Risien); 1979 ninth round pick (#241-Curtis Weathers) in the 1979-05-04 exchange with Las Vegas Raiders. Cody Risien became a 146-game tackle and two-time Pro Bowler, and Curtis Weathers added a 94-game NFL career, creating outstanding late-round value. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Cleveland Browns surrendered, the result supports Cleveland Browns Win and a A grade for Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1979 seventh round pick (#183-Cody Risien)
- pick 1979 ninth round pick (#241-Curtis Weathers)
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 1979 seventh round pick (#175-Jack Matia)
- pick 1979 twelfth round pick (#316-Dirk Abernathy)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1979-05-04, Cleveland Browns received 1979 seventh round pick (#183-Cody Risien); 1979 ninth round pick (#241-Curtis Weathers), while Las Vegas Raiders received 1979 seventh round pick (#175-Jack Matia); 1979 twelfth round pick (#316-Dirk Abernathy). The comparison is limited to the consideration each club controlled directly after the transaction. Later moves involving an acquired pick or player are separate transactions, so they are used only to explain provenance when useful and are not counted as additional compensation here.
Cleveland Browns Return
Cleveland Browns received 1979 seventh round pick (#183-Cody Risien); 1979 ninth round pick (#241-Curtis Weathers) in the 1979-05-04 exchange with Las Vegas Raiders. Cody Risien became a 146-game tackle and two-time Pro Bowler, and Curtis Weathers added a 94-game NFL career, creating outstanding late-round value. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Cleveland Browns surrendered, the result supports Cleveland Browns Win and a A grade for Cleveland Browns.
Oakland Raiders Return
Las Vegas Raiders received 1979 seventh round pick (#175-Jack Matia); 1979 twelfth round pick (#316-Dirk Abernathy) in the 1979-05-04 exchange with Cleveland Browns. Jack Matia and Dirk Abernathy did not come close to matching the longevity or impact Cleveland extracted from its two selections. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Las Vegas Raiders surrendered, the result supports Cleveland Browns Win and a D grade for Las Vegas Raiders.
Value in Hindsight
Cleveland's return produced Cody Risien, a 146-game, 140-start tackle and two-time Pro Bowler, plus Curtis Weathers, who played 94 NFL games. Oakland received Jack Matia and Dirk Abernathy and did not approach that combined longevity or impact. Cleveland won decisively. The exchange is documented well enough to support a firm hindsight judgment. The grades reflect the difference between what each side received and what those assets actually became for the clubs, while avoiding credit for unrelated transactions that happened later. Short-term usefulness matters, but sustained starting value, premium production, or durable draft value carries more weight.
Final Verdict
Cleveland Browns receives a A and Las Vegas Raiders receives a D. The verdict is Cleveland Browns Win. This result reflects the direct package, the value each team actually realized, and the separation created by those outcomes rather than the nominal size of either side's return.