Detroit acquired linebacker Bob Long from Los Angeles in…
Detroit acquired linebacker Bob Long from Los Angeles in October 1955 for a 1956 second-round pick. Long became a multi-year Lions starter and started nine games on the 1957 NFL championship team. The Rams used No. 14 on USC end Leon Clarke, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and gave Los Angeles four productive seasons. Both clubs won value, with the Rams’ return slightly stronger.
Detroit Lions Received
- player Bob Long (Wendell)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1956 second round pick (#14- Leon Clarke )
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
The Rams moved young defensive end Bob Long to Detroit in October 1955 for a future second-round choice. Long had been Los Angeles’ second-round pick earlier that year, while Detroit was seeking defensive help. The Rams chose to recycle the player into a premium 1956 selection, and that pick became No. 14 overall. Los Angeles used it on USC end Leon Clarke.
What Detroit Received
Long developed into a dependable Lions defender after the move. Pro Football Archives lists him in 10 Detroit games in 1955, then as a 12-game starter in 1956 and a nine-game starter on the 1957 NFL championship team. He remained with Detroit through 1959. That is strong realized value: the Lions acquired a young player, developed him into a regular linebacker and received meaningful service during a championship window. A B+ reflects that this side of the trade clearly worked.
What Los Angeles Received
Clarke made the pick pay off immediately. Pro Football Archives identifies him as the 14th overall selection and lists him as an 11-game starter as a rookie. He caught 37 passes for 590 yards and four touchdowns in 1956 and earned a Pro Bowl selection. Clarke continued as a productive Rams receiver through 1959 before later moving to Cleveland. The Rams therefore turned Long into a high draft choice and then hit on a player who provided immediate honors-level production.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams Win, narrowly. This is a successful trade for both clubs rather than a cautionary tale. Detroit received a multi-year starting defender who contributed to an NFL championship. Los Angeles received a Pro Bowl rookie and several productive receiving seasons from the draft choice. Clarke’s higher individual peak and offensive production give the Rams the slight edge, earning an A-. Detroit earns a B+ because Long was a substantial, title-era contributor. The small grade gap is intentional: both teams converted the transaction into genuine value.