Denver traded defensive tackle Dave Costa to San Diego on…
Denver traded defensive tackle Dave Costa to San Diego on August 1, 1972 for running back Eddie Ray and a 1973 third-round selection used on John Wood. Ray never appeared in a Broncos regular-season game and Wood never played for Denver. Costa immediately became a Chargers starter and opened all 28 games across the 1972 and 1973 seasons.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Eddie Ray
- pick 1973 third round pick (#70-John Wood (a))
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Dave Costa (a)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Denver’s official trade history records the Broncos sending defensive tackle Dave Costa to San Diego for running back Eddie Ray and a third-round choice in the 1973 draft. The pick became No. 70, which Denver used on LSU defensive tackle John Wood. Draft-transaction material matches the package and date, giving the exchange a well-supported direct asset trail.
What Denver Received
The two incoming assets did not translate into Broncos regular-season production. Historical summaries show no Denver appearance for Ray after the trade. Wood was selected at No. 70 and went through Denver’s 1973 program, but Pro Football Archives records his release before he played a regular-season game for the Broncos. He later appeared in two games for New Orleans. Denver therefore received two legitimate chances at value without realizing meaningful game-day return.
What San Diego Received
Costa immediately became a major part of the Chargers’ defensive line. Season records show him starting all 14 games in 1972 and all 14 again in 1973. Twenty-eight consecutive starts over two seasons are a substantial return, especially against a Denver package that produced no regular-season appearances for the acquiring club. San Diego received dependable, high-volume veteran play rather than merely roster depth.
Final Verdict
The Chargers win comfortably. Denver obtained a player and a third-round pick, but neither Ray nor Wood produced a regular-season game for the Broncos. Costa gave San Diego two complete seasons as a starter. A B+ for the Chargers and C- for Denver reflects that sizable realized-value difference while acknowledging that Denver’s original package had reasonable asset value when the trade was made.
Dave Costa started every Chargers game across 1972 and 1973, while neither Eddie Ray nor John Wood produced a Broncos regular-season appearance, creating a stark difference in realized value despite Denver receiving two assets.