Arizona Cardinals received 1970 eighth round pick (#201-Mike…
Arizona Cardinals received 1970 eighth round pick (#201-Mike Holmgren). The Cardinals received the 1970 eighth-round pick used on Mike Holmgren, who did not produce an NFL playing career. A full season of Goich clearly outweighs a draft selection that produced no NFL playing return, giving Detroit the edge. That outcome supports a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1970 eighth round pick (#201-Mike Holmgren)
Detroit Lions Received
- player Dan Goich / Danny Goich
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1969-09-10, Arizona Cardinals received 1970 eighth round pick (#201-Mike Holmgren), while Detroit Lions received Dan Goich / Danny Goich. Historical team, player, draft, and transaction sources support the direct package and provide enough career context to compare the football value that followed. The evaluation centers on what each club actually obtained from the exchange and how those assets performed or were converted afterward.
Arizona Cardinals Return
Arizona Cardinals received 1970 eighth round pick (#201-Mike Holmgren). The Cardinals received the 1970 eighth-round pick used on Mike Holmgren, who did not produce an NFL playing career. A full season of Goich clearly outweighs a draft selection that produced no NFL playing return, giving Detroit the edge. That outcome supports a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals. The grade reflects the practical return created for this franchise rather than simply the name eventually attached to a pick after later movement.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit Lions received Dan Goich / Danny Goich. Detroit received Dan Goich and got a full 14-game season from him in 1969, creating the only meaningful regular-season return in the deal. A full season of Goich clearly outweighs a draft selection that produced no NFL playing return, giving Detroit the edge. That outcome supports a B- grade for Detroit Lions. That side is judged on the value it actually controlled after the trade, including any documented playing time or clearly traceable draft return.
Value in Hindsight
A full season of Goich clearly outweighs a draft selection that produced no NFL playing return, giving Detroit the edge. The comparison gives the most weight to regular-season contribution, starting value, and clearly documented use of acquired draft capital. Later selections by another holder are useful for tracing a pick, but they are not treated as on-field production for a team that had already moved the asset.
Final Verdict
The final call is Detroit Lions Win. Arizona Cardinals earns a D+, and Detroit Lions earns a B-. Those grades match the supported direct package and the relative football value each side ultimately realized, without overstating a minor exchange or assigning another club's later player outcome to the wrong team.