Minnesota sent linebacker Bill Cody to Philadelphia on March…
Minnesota sent linebacker Bill Cody to Philadelphia on March 4, 1972 for the Eagles’ 1973 tenth-round choice. Cody appeared in 11 games for Philadelphia that season. Minnesota used pick No. 236 on Tulane defensive back and punter Randy Lee, whose draft record shows no NFL regular-season production. The Eagles therefore receive a narrow edge from a modest exchange that produced limited value overall.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1973 tenth round pick (#236-Randy Lee)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Bill Cody
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Minnesota traded linebacker Bill Cody to Philadelphia on March 4, 1972 for the Eagles’ tenth-round selection in the 1973 draft. Vikings draft history identifies the acquired choice as No. 236 and Randy Lee, a defensive back and punter from Tulane. Draft-transaction records independently connect the same future pick to the Cody deal, establishing a straightforward veteran-for-late-pick exchange.
What Philadelphia Received
Cody had already played several NFL seasons before the trade and gave Philadelphia immediate roster value. NFL and Pro Football Reference records show him appearing in 11 games for the Eagles during the 1972 season. He did not become a long-term Philadelphia starter, but those appearances represent actual regular-season contribution from a player acquired for a very late future selection.
What Minnesota Received
The Vikings used No. 236 on Lee in the tenth round of the 1973 draft. Minnesota’s official draft history and Pro Football Reference both list the selection. The latter shows no NFL games or accumulated career value for Lee, meaning the acquired pick did not turn into a regular-season contributor for Minnesota. The choice still carried some opportunity value, but its realized result was minimal.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia earns the narrow win because Cody produced 11 games of immediate service while Minnesota’s eventual selection did not produce an NFL regular-season appearance. The trade was small enough that neither team deserves an extreme grade. A C+ for the Eagles and C for the Vikings reflects a modest advantage created by actual roster contribution rather than a major difference in long-term franchise value.