The Rams sent Wendell Tyler, veteran lineman Cody Jones and…
The Rams sent Wendell Tyler, veteran lineman Cody Jones and the No. 59 pick to San Francisco for picks No. 36 and No. 87 in the 1983 draft. Los Angeles used No. 36 on linebacker Mike Wilcher, who became a long-term starter and pass rusher for the Rams. Chuck Nelson was the other selection, giving Los Angeles substantial return from the package.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1983 second round pick (#36-Mike Wilcher)
- pick 1983 fourth round pick (#87-Chuck Nelson)
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Wendell Tyler
- player Cody Jones
- pick 1983 third round pick (#59-Blanchard Montgomery)
Trade Analysis
Why the Rams Moved Tyler
Los Angeles converted veteran running back Wendell Tyler and two additional assets into two 1983 selections: No. 36 and No. 87. The Rams were reshaping the roster around a draft that already included Eric Dickerson, so moving Tyler made football sense while recovering premium draft value.
What Los Angeles Received
The centerpiece became linebacker Mike Wilcher at No. 36. Wilcher developed into a durable Rams defender, playing 124 NFL games with 94 starts and recording 38.5 sacks. The Rams also used No. 87 on kicker Chuck Nelson. Even without treating every later contribution equally, Wilcher alone supplied years of high-level value from the trade.
How San Francisco Benefited
The 49ers did not merely acquire a fading veteran. Tyler rushed for 856 yards in 1983, then exploded for 1,262 yards in 1984 while San Francisco went 15-1 and won Super Bowl XIX. He remained productive in 1985 as well. Cody Jones added veteran depth, and the No. 59 choice gave San Francisco another draft asset.
Why This Is Even
A normal trade winner is difficult to identify because each side accomplished a different objective at a high level. San Francisco bought immediate offensive production that helped a championship team. Los Angeles turned a position it was ready to transition away from into Wilcher, a long-term defensive starter with a substantial Rams career.
Final Verdict
Both teams earn an A-. Tyler's immediate impact and championship-season production justify San Francisco's aggressive move, while Wilcher's longevity makes the Rams' return equally persuasive. The exchange stands as an example of two well-positioned teams converting surplus or future value into exactly what their rosters needed.