Minnesota sent veteran linebacker Brad Van Pelt to the…
Minnesota sent veteran linebacker Brad Van Pelt to the Raiders on October 9, 1984 and received a 1985 sixth-round pick plus a 1986 second-round pick. Van Pelt gave Los Angeles two useful seasons, but Minnesota drafted Tim Newton with the sixth and later used the second-round asset in the Gary Zimmerman rights deal, creating the stronger long-term return.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Brad Van Pelt
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1985 sixth round pick (#164-Tim Newton)
- pick 1986 second round pick (#53-Greg Lasker)
Trade Analysis
Why the Raiders Made the Move
Los Angeles wanted proven linebacker help for a contender and acquired Brad Van Pelt from Minnesota on October 9, 1984. Van Pelt was already an established veteran, and the Raiders received real short-term value rather than a fading name with nothing left. He played 25 games with 23 starts over the 1984 and 1985 seasons.
What Minnesota Received
The Vikings received a 1985 sixth-round pick and a 1986 second-round pick. The sixth became Tim Newton at No. 164. Newton developed into a useful defensive lineman for Minnesota, appearing regularly across five seasons and starting significant stretches early in his career. That alone gave Minnesota a meaningful return for a veteran it was willing to move.
How the Second-Round Asset Mattered
The larger value came from the 1986 second-round selection, No. 53. Minnesota did not simply burn that pick on a player who disappeared. The choice became part of the transaction that brought the rights to offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman to the Vikings. Zimmerman became a cornerstone tackle and Hall of Fame-caliber player, giving the original Van Pelt trade important downstream value even though Greg Lasker was the player ultimately selected at No. 53.
Why the Raiders Still Grade Well
Van Pelt started almost every game he played for Los Angeles and gave the defense immediate veteran stability. A B grade reflects that the Raiders received the type of short-term contribution they were buying.
Final Verdict
Minnesota earns an A- and Los Angeles a B. The Raiders got two useful seasons from Van Pelt, but Newton's multi-year contribution plus the second-round asset's role in acquiring Zimmerman gave the Vikings the more valuable long-term chain. This is a Minnesota Vikings Win.