Denver acquired running back Dickie Post from San Diego for a…
Denver acquired running back Dickie Post from San Diego for a 1972 second-round pick, No. 30 overall. Post's Broncos stint lasted only six games and produced 44 rushing yards. The Chargers later used that premium pick as part of the package that brought Deacon Jones from the Rams, increasing the downstream value of the asset. San Diego wins because Denver received too little for a second-round price.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Dick Post / Dickie Post
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1972 second round pick (#30) [later traded with Jeff Staggs, 1973 second round pick (#31-Cullen Bryant) and 1973 third round pick (#60-Tim Stokes) to Los Angeles Rams for David Jones / Deacon Jones, Greg Wojcik and Lee White]
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Denver acquired running back Dickie Post from San Diego on July 27, 1971, in exchange for a 1972 second-round draft choice. The selection became No. 30 overall. Denver's historical material confirms the transaction, and later draft tracing shows the Chargers eventually included that pick in the multi-asset package used to acquire defensive star Deacon Jones from the Rams.
What Denver Got
Post had been a productive back for the Chargers earlier in his career, so Denver was buying a recognizable veteran rather than an unknown. The Broncos version did not last. He appeared in six games for Denver in 1971 and rushed for only 44 yards before his career continued elsewhere. That is a very small direct return for a second-round choice, particularly one near the top of the round.
What San Diego Got
The Chargers received a premium future selection with flexibility beyond any one drafted player. They eventually used the No. 30 pick as one component in the package that brought Deacon Jones to San Diego. It would be excessive to credit this single pick with the entire Jones acquisition because other meaningful assets were included, but the chain demonstrates that the selection retained substantial trade value after Denver surrendered it.
How the Value Separated
Denver's problem is straightforward: the veteran produced only six games and minimal rushing output. San Diego controlled a second-round asset that remained valuable enough to help facilitate a major later move. The original trade therefore left the Chargers with far more optionality and eventual value.
Final Verdict
San Diego wins, B to C-. Post's short Denver stay could not justify the second-round cost. The Chargers' ability to preserve and later leverage that pick makes the hindsight advantage clear without overstating how much of the Deacon Jones deal belonged to this selection alone.