San Diego moved from No. 14 to No. 8 in the 1986 draft and…
San Diego moved from No. 14 to No. 8 in the 1986 draft and selected Leslie O'Neal, while also receiving No. 66. O'Neal became the defining asset: 132.5 career sacks and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Minnesota took Gerald Robinson at No. 14 and obtained No. 44, later used in the trade for Gary Zimmerman's rights, giving the Vikings meaningful value despite losing the direct comparison.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1986 first round pick (#8-Leslie O'Neal)
- pick 1986 third round pick (#66-Terry Unrein)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1986 first round pick (#14-Gerald Robinson)
- pick 1986 second round pick (#44-Mark Collins)
Trade Analysis
Why San Diego Moved Up
The Chargers climbed from No. 14 to No. 8 in the 1986 draft, sending Minnesota the 14th and 44th picks for No. 8 and No. 66. San Diego used the premium selection on defensive end Leslie O'Neal, making this a trade-up whose success can be measured against one of the best pass rushers of his era.
What San Diego Received
O'Neal immediately justified the move. He recorded 12.5 sacks as a rookie and won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He finished his NFL career with 132.5 sacks and spent the heart of that career with the Chargers. The third-round component, No. 66, became Terry Unrein and did not approach O'Neal's impact, but the star return already made the trade highly productive.
What Minnesota Received
The Vikings selected Gerald Robinson at No. 14. Robinson played 89 NFL games and recorded 19 sacks, giving Minnesota a real defensive contributor but not a player in O'Neal's class. The more important secondary value came from No. 44: Minnesota later packaged that pick with No. 53 to acquire the rights to tackle Gary Zimmerman from the Giants. The original trade therefore helped create a Hall-of-Fame-level offensive-line outcome, although another Vikings pick was also required.
How the Value Settled
That Zimmerman chain keeps Minnesota from receiving a poor grade. Still, San Diego directly converted the centerpiece of the deal into a long-term elite pass rusher and franchise fixture.
Final Verdict
The Chargers earn an A and Minnesota a B. O'Neal's career gives San Diego the clear edge, while Robinson's service and the role of No. 44 in obtaining Zimmerman preserve substantial value for the Vikings. It is a Chargers Win, but not a one-sided failure for Minnesota.