Los Angeles Chargers received 1994 3rd round pick (70th…
Los Angeles Chargers received 1994 3rd round pick (70th overall, Andre Coleman) and 1994 5th round pick (137th overall, Aaron Laing). Andre Coleman became the most durable direct Chargers return and provided several seasons of useful value, while Aaron Laing did not materially change the outcome. Compared with New England Patriots' return, the result supports a B+ grade and fits the Los Angeles Chargers Win verdict.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1994 3rd round pick (70th overall, Andre Coleman )
- pick 1994 5th round pick (137th overall, Aaron Laing )
New England Patriots Received
- player Marion Butts
- pick 1994 3rd round pick (78th overall, Ervin Collier)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1994-04-25, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots completed an exchange in which Los Angeles Chargers received 1994 3rd round pick (70th overall, Andre Coleman) and 1994 5th round pick (137th overall, Aaron Laing), while New England Patriots received Marion Butts and 1994 3rd round pick (78th overall, Ervin Collier). Both sides obtained identifiable football assets, so the hindsight evaluation turns on what those assets became and how much practical value they delivered after the move.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
Andre Coleman became the most durable direct Chargers return and provided several seasons of useful value, while Aaron Laing did not materially change the outcome. That outcome is the main reason Los Angeles Chargers receives a B+ grade. The value here is measured by actual contribution and staying power rather than by the number of pieces in the package. In a minor transaction, even a useful role player or durable starter can create a meaningful edge.
New England Patriots Return
Marion Butts supplied one productive Patriots season, and New England also received the third-round choice used on Ervin Collier. The documented package is stronger than a single-pick description suggests, but its long-term yield still trails Coleman's Chargers tenure. That result supports a B- grade for New England Patriots. The return has to be judged against what the other club received, not simply by whether the acquired player or pick reached the roster. The comparison therefore emphasizes sustained contribution, role importance, and the eventual usefulness of any draft capital.
Value in Hindsight
New England received legitimate short-term help and an additional third-round pick, but San Diego's direct return lasted longer and produced more sustained value through Coleman. The exchange was not necessarily unreasonable when it was made, but the later outcomes provide a clearer basis for grading it. Hindsight separates the original cost from the production that followed and shows which club converted its side of the deal into more meaningful football value.
Final Verdict
The final call is Los Angeles Chargers Win. Los Angeles Chargers receives a B+, while New England Patriots receives a B-. Those grades reflect the documented package and the downstream results attached to it. The deciding factor is the relative quality and duration of the returns, which gives the stronger side the advantage without overstating a transaction that was generally modest in scale.