Minnesota traded Hall of Fame tackle Ron Yary to the Rams…
Minnesota traded Hall of Fame tackle Ron Yary to the Rams late in the 1982 preseason for a 1983 tenth-round pick. The name makes the deal look larger than the actual Rams return: Yary appeared in only eight games for Los Angeles and did not start. Minnesota used No. 255 on defensive back Melvin Brown, who did not produce meaningful NFL value. The Rams win, but only narrowly and at a low grade.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Ron Yary
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1983 tenth round pick (#255-Melvin Brown)
Trade Analysis
Why Minnesota Moved Yary
Ron Yary was one of the great offensive tackles of his era, but by August 1982 he was at the end of his career. Minnesota moved the veteran to Los Angeles for a future tenth-round selection. Vikings draft history identifies the 1983 No. 255 pick used on Melvin Brown as the compensation from the Rams.
What Los Angeles Actually Received
The important distinction is between Yary's career reputation and his Rams production. His Hall of Fame résumé was built almost entirely in Minnesota. For Los Angeles, Yary appeared in only eight games during the strike-shortened 1982 season and did not start. He did not return for another NFL season.
What Minnesota Received
The Vikings used the acquired tenth-rounder on Mississippi defensive back Melvin Brown. Brown did not establish a meaningful NFL career, so Minnesota received essentially no lasting professional production from the pick.
Why the Rams Still Win
Los Angeles at least obtained eight games of veteran depth at a premium position, while Minnesota's selected player did not provide comparable service. Because the compensation was only a tenth-round choice, the downside to Los Angeles was also minimal. The margin is real but small. Evaluating the trade as though the Rams acquired the prime version of Yary would dramatically overstate their return.
Final Verdict
The Rams earn a C and Minnesota a D+. Los Angeles wins because Yary supplied the only measurable NFL contribution, but this was a low-impact end-of-career transaction. The previous elite grade is not supported by what Yary actually did after the trade.