Washington moved up four spots in the second round of the…
Washington moved up four spots in the second round of the 1987 draft for tackle Wally Kleine, giving the Raiders No. 52 and a fifth-round choice. Los Angeles used No. 52 on Bruce Wilkerson, who became a long-term starting tackle and appeared in 147 NFL games. Kleine did not provide Washington comparable staying power, so the Raiders won despite making only a modest move down.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 1987 second round pick (#52-Bruce Wilkerson)
- pick 1987 fifth round pick (#120-Steve Bryan (a))
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1987 second round pick (#48-Wally Kleine)
Trade Analysis
Why Washington Moved Up
Washington wanted tackle Wally Kleine and moved from No. 52 to No. 48 to secure him, adding a fifth-round pick to complete the deal. The Raiders accepted a small slide because four positions were unlikely to erase their board and the extra selection increased the value of moving back.
What Washington Received
Kleine gave Washington an offensive-line prospect at a position of need, but the return did not become a long-term franchise piece. He played in the NFL, yet his Washington tenure and career impact were modest compared with the player the Raiders selected after moving down. That limited payoff makes the extra fifth-round cost harder to justify in hindsight.
What the Raiders Received
Los Angeles used No. 52 on Bruce Wilkerson. He became a durable professional tackle, appeared in 147 NFL games and spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Raiders organization. That kind of longevity is an excellent second-round outcome. The Raiders also received No. 120, giving them another asset beyond the player who already tilted the transaction in their favor.
How the Value Settled
This trade did not require complicated hindsight. The Raiders moved only four spots, added another selection and still drafted a player who remained a useful starter for years. Washington paid the premium and did not obtain comparable value from the higher choice. The small distance between the picks makes Los Angeles' result even stronger because it sacrificed little draft position.
Final Verdict
The Raiders win and receive a B+. Washington earns a C. Kleine was a legitimate draft target and the move-up cost was not enormous, but Wilkerson's long tenure gives Los Angeles the decisive edge. Adding the fifth-round asset on top of the better player makes the trade a clear Raiders success.