Green Bay acquired linebacker Doug Woodlief from Los Angeles…
Green Bay acquired linebacker Doug Woodlief from Los Angeles on a conditional basis in June 1972. The condition mattered: Green Bay owed an undisclosed draft choice only if Woodlief made the 1972 roster. He was waived on July 22, and coach Dan Devine said the Packers therefore owed the Rams nothing. Neither side ultimately realized regular-season value from the transaction, supporting an even C/C result.
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Doug Woodlief
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick conditional draft choice (not conveyed; Woodlief did not make Green Bay's 1972 roster)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Green Bay acquired veteran linebacker Doug Woodlief from the Los Angeles Rams on June 16, 1972. Contemporary Green Bay reporting described the deal as conditional: the Packers would owe an undisclosed draft choice only if Woodlief made the 1972 roster. That condition determines whether Los Angeles received any draft compensation.
Green Bay Packers Return
Green Bay received Woodlief, a former Rams starter who was attempting a comeback after knee problems had wiped out his 1970 and 1971 seasons. The comeback did not reach the regular season. Green Bay waived him on July 22 during training camp. Pro Football Reference shows no Packers regular-season appearance for Woodlief, so Green Bay received no on-field value from the acquisition. A C grade reflects a low-cost look at a veteran rather than a productive roster addition.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles was supposed to receive a draft choice only if Woodlief made Green Bay's roster. He did not. When the Packers released him, coach Dan Devine said Green Bay had acquired Woodlief conditionally and therefore did not owe the Rams anything. The condition never triggered, so no draft choice conveyed. The Rams receive a C because they surrendered a player who produced no further NFL value and received no draft asset.
Value in Hindsight
This is effectively a null transaction. Green Bay took a no-risk chance on an injured veteran, while Los Angeles attached compensation to the condition that Woodlief survive camp. Once he was waived, neither club had a realized football asset from the deal. That is materially different from treating an undisclosed pick as if it existed.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Green Bay gets C and Los Angeles gets C. The draft choice was conditional and did not convey, and Woodlief never played a regular-season game for the Packers. Neither side realized regular-season football value from the transaction.