Oakland acquired guard Dan Ficca and immediately received a…
Oakland acquired guard Dan Ficca and immediately received a full season of service. Ficca played all 14 Raiders games in 1962 and made three starts, giving the club direct value from the transaction. That contribution exceeded what San Diego ultimately realized from the associated draft choice, which did not produce Chargers service from Dave Robinson.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Dan Ficca
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick "high" draft pick (probably 1963 #17-(Richard) Dave Robinson)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
In June 1962, Oakland acquired guard Dan Ficca from San Diego for a high draft choice. Historical draft records later connect Oakland's No. 17 AFL selection to Dave Robinson, although the original wording of the consideration is best kept conservative. The practical comparison is straightforward: Ficca played immediately for Oakland, while Robinson did not become a Chargers player.
Las Vegas Raiders Return
Ficca appeared in all 14 Raiders games in 1962 and made three starts. For an expansion-era club trying to stabilize its roster, a full season of availability had clear practical value. Oakland did not acquire a star, but it acquired a player who could dress every week and step into the starting lineup when needed, producing direct service from the trade.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
San Diego received draft capital with meaningful theoretical upside. The associated AFL selection was used on Dave Robinson, an outstanding prospect who ultimately chose Green Bay rather than the Chargers. As a result, San Diego did not receive regular-season Chargers production from the player tied to that choice. The asset had real potential, but the realized return for the club was limited.
Value in Hindsight
This evaluation rewards what each club actually obtained from the transaction rather than the reputation of a player who never joined San Diego. Robinson's later career elsewhere does not become Chargers value simply because the selection was connected to him. Oakland, by contrast, received 14 games and three starts from Ficca immediately, giving the Raiders the clearer direct benefit.
Final Verdict
Oakland receives a C+ and San Diego receives a D+. The Raiders win because Ficca supplied a full season of usable service, while the Chargers' draft return did not translate into direct production for their roster.