Cleveland acquired defensive back Donald Frank from San Diego…

The Exchange

Cleveland acquired defensive back Donald Frank from San Diego in March 1994. The Chargers received Cleveland's 1995 sixth-round pick, which became No. 197. San Diego used that selection on quarterback Craig Whelihan, creating a delayed return from a veteran player the club was willing to move.

Cleveland Browns Return

Cleveland acquired defensive back Donald Frank from San Diego for a 1995 sixth-round pick, No. 197. Frank gave the Browns veteran secondary depth, but the Chargers used the selection on quarterback Craig Whelihan, who later started 14 games for San Diego across 1997 and 1998. Whelihan was not an efficient long-term starter, yet getting multiple quarterback starts from a sixth-round return outweighed Cleveland's short-lived veteran benefit.

San Diego Chargers Return

San Diego sent Donald Frank to Cleveland and received the 1995 sixth-round selection used on Craig Whelihan. Frank provided the Browns with an experienced defensive back, but his Cleveland tenure did not become a lasting piece. Whelihan eventually started 14 games for the Chargers and threw for more than 3,000 yards over two seasons. The quarterback results were uneven, but the late-round pick still generated more retained franchise value for San Diego.

Value in Hindsight

Whelihan's uneven results keep this from becoming a major Chargers victory. San Diego eventually needed him because of instability at quarterback, and his starts had value even when the offense struggled. Cleveland's return was more ordinary and shorter-lived. The relative scarcity of usable quarterback snaps from a sixth-round pick gives San Diego the edge.

Final Verdict

San Diego earns a B and Cleveland a C-. Whelihan was not a long-term answer, but 14 starts and more than 3,000 passing yards from the acquired sixth-round choice exceeded the value Cleveland realized from Frank. The Chargers won a modest veteran-for-pick exchange.