Detroit moved from No. 82 to No. 70 for tight end David…
Detroit moved from No. 82 to No. 70 for tight end David Sloan, giving the Rams Nos. 82 and 115. Sloan became a long-term Lions contributor, playing 110 NFL games, catching 192 passes and earning a Pro Bowl selection. The Rams selected kicker Steve McLaughlin and tight end Lovell Pinkney; each played only eight NFL games. Detroit turned a modest move up into the only durable player.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1995 3rd round pick (70th overall, David Sloan)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1995 3rd round pick (82nd overall, Steve McLaughlin)
- pick 1995 4th round pick (115th overall, Lovell Pinkney)
Trade Analysis
Why Detroit Moved Up
Detroit climbed 12 places in the third round to select tight end David Sloan. The Lions paid the 82nd pick plus a fourth-rounder at No. 115, a normal premium for a team targeting a specific player in the middle rounds. Sloan offered size and receiving ability, and Detroit's offense had enough established skill talent that a dependable tight end could become a useful complementary piece quickly.
What the Rams Received
The Rams selected kicker Steve McLaughlin at No. 82 and tight end Lovell Pinkney at No. 115. Neither choice produced lasting value. McLaughlin played eight games in 1995 and made eight of 16 field-goal attempts. Pinkney also appeared in only eight games. The trade-down created two opportunities, but both were exhausted almost immediately without generating a long-term starter.
How Sloan Developed
Sloan became exactly the kind of mid-round success Detroit hoped to find. He played 110 NFL games, caught 192 passes for 2,151 yards and 15 touchdowns, and earned a Pro Bowl selection. Most of that value came with the Lions, where he became a regular part of the offense. One durable, productive starter easily outweighed two short careers from the selections Detroit surrendered.
Final Verdict
Detroit Lions Win. Detroit earns an A for paying a modest premium and landing a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end who stayed productive for years. The Rams receive a D because neither McLaughlin nor Pinkney became a lasting contributor. Trading down gave Los Angeles more chances, but Detroit's scouting conviction produced the only meaningful NFL career tied to the exchange.