Arizona captured the strongest long-term value in the January…

The Exchange

The January 30, 1954 transaction was a genuine three-team deal among the Cardinals, Rams and Washington. Los Angeles sent Night Train Lane, Len Teeuws and Bob Morgan to the Cardinals for Volney Peters and Don Paul. Paul then moved immediately to Washington for Don Doll. The historical record is clearest when the deal is treated as one linked three-team transaction rather than two unrelated exchanges.

Arizona Cardinals Return

Arizona landed the defining asset. Lane immediately intercepted 10 passes in 1954, made the Pro Bowl, and began a six-season Cardinals run that produced 30 interceptions and multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Teeuws also became a durable starter, starting 46 games over four seasons for the Cardinals after making only five starts in two Rams seasons. Morgan was a third piece, but Lane and Teeuws alone make this an exceptional return.

Los Angeles Rams Return

The Rams did receive real short-term value. Doll played all 12 games in 1954 and intercepted five passes, but that was his final NFL season. Peters did not become a long-term Rams piece; transaction records place him with Washington by September 1954. Because surviving sources conflict on the exact mechanics of the later Peters transaction, no speculative draft-pick value should be credited to Los Angeles here.

Washington Return

Washington acquired Paul, then moved him before the season to Cleveland for Johnny Carson and Dale Atkeson. Carson became a multi-year Washington starter, topped 500 receiving yards in both 1956 and 1957, and led the team with 583 receiving yards in 1957. Atkeson added three seasons, 18 starts, 639 rushing yards and 184 receiving yards. That downstream conversion gives Washington meaningful value despite Paul never becoming its on-field payoff.

Value in Hindsight

The Cardinals received the only franchise-changing player and another multi-year starter. Washington converted its acquired asset into two useful contributors. Los Angeles got one productive season from Doll but surrendered far more long-term value.

Final Verdict

Arizona wins decisively. The Cardinals earn an A+; Washington earns a B+ for converting Paul into Carson and Atkeson; Los Angeles earns a D+ because its short-lived return cannot offset giving up Lane and Teeuws.