Baltimore acquired Ed Mooney from Detroit for its 1974…
Baltimore acquired Ed Mooney from Detroit for its 1974 fifth-round selection, No. 109. Mooney appeared in 13 games and started three for the Colts before being traded again the next January. Detroit flipped the pick to Atlanta for Willie Germany, who appeared in six Lions games. Both sides received short-term value, but Baltimore’s player contribution and later return give it the edge.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1974 fifth round pick (#109- Henry Childs ; traded to Atlanta for Willie Germany)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Ed Mooney
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Ed Mooney had spent four active seasons as a reserve linebacker for Detroit before missing 1972 with a shoulder injury. Near the end of the 1973 preseason, the Lions moved him to Baltimore for a 1974 fifth-round choice. A UPI report published August 30 says Detroit traded Mooney “Wednesday,” which was August 29, and Pro Sports Transactions also dates the deal August 29. Detroit’s later transaction history records August 30, consistent with the transaction being entered or announced the following day.
What Baltimore Received
Mooney immediately became useful depth for the Colts. He appeared in 13 games in 1973 and made three starts at linebacker. Baltimore did not keep him long, but it also did not lose the asset for nothing: on January 30, 1974, the Colts sent Mooney to Washington for a 12th-round pick. The original fifth-round cost therefore produced one season of defensive depth plus a smaller draft asset on the way out.
What Detroit Received
The fifth-round pick was No. 109 in the 1974 draft. Detroit never used it directly. On September 6, 1973, the Lions sent that choice to Atlanta for defensive back Willie Germany. Germany appeared in six games for Detroit that season and did not start. Atlanta ultimately used No. 109 on tight end Henry Childs. Detroit thus converted Mooney into a young defensive back, but the resulting Lions contribution was brief.
Final Verdict
Baltimore Colts Win. Baltimore earns a B- for getting 13 games, three starts, and a later 12th-round return from Mooney. Detroit gets a C+ because Germany did make the roster and appear in six games, so the fifth-round asset was not wasted. Neither side created major long-term value, but Baltimore received the larger amount of usable NFL production from the original transaction.