Los Angeles acquired linebacker Jeff Lyman from New England…
Los Angeles acquired linebacker Jeff Lyman from New England for a draft choice whose exact selection has not been identified. Lyman had only three prior NFL regular-season appearances and did not make the Rams' 1973 regular-season roster. Because New England's downstream draft return also remains unresolved, the Rams did not receive enough documented value to create a clear advantage.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Jeff Lyman
New England Patriots Received
- pick draft pick (selection not identified)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1973-07-25, Los Angeles Rams received Jeff Lyman, while New England Patriots received draft pick (selection not identified). The exchange is judged by the football value each club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the transaction. Later movement of a draft choice is considered only when the cited record connects that movement to the original return.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles acquired linebacker Jeff Lyman from New England for a draft choice whose exact selection has not been identified. Lyman had only three prior NFL regular-season appearances and did not make the Rams' 1973 regular-season roster. Because New England's downstream draft return also remains unresolved, the Rams did not receive enough documented value to create a clear advantage.
New England Patriots Return
New England sent Jeff Lyman to the Rams and received a draft choice whose exact selection has not been identified. Lyman did not appear for Los Angeles during the 1973 regular season, but the available record also does not establish a meaningful Patriots payoff from the draft asset. With neither side showing a documented value edge, the exchange remains even.
Value in Hindsight
Lyman's documented NFL career was already extremely limited before the exchange, and he did not appear for the Rams during the 1973 regular season. New England's return was a draft choice, but the exact selection and any downstream payoff remain unresolved. That leaves both clubs without a clearly demonstrated gain. The missing selection identity should not be treated as proof that the Patriots received nothing, just as Lyman's presence should not be treated as meaningful Rams production. The evidence supports an even, low-value result.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Los Angeles Rams earns C, and New England Patriots earns C. Those grades reflect the supported package, the documented post-trade production, and the relative football value each side ultimately realized from this exchange.