Cleveland acquired Errol Linden from Detroit for the 1962…
Cleveland acquired Errol Linden from Detroit for the 1962 eighth-round pick later used on Frank Imperiale. Draft records support the trade and downstream selection even though another transaction log describes release-and-signing mechanics. Linden contributed to Cleveland and continued a long NFL career, while Imperiale never appeared in a regular-season game, making the Browns the clear hindsight winner.
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Errol Linden
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1962 eighth round pick (#109-Frank Imperiale)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Cleveland acquired Errol Linden from Detroit in September 1961 for an eighth-round selection in the 1962 draft, later used on Frank Imperiale at No. 109. Draft transaction records connect Linden directly to the pick. A separate player log describes a Detroit release followed by a Cleveland signing, creating a mechanics difference but not a different value trail.
Cleveland Browns Return
Cleveland acquired Errol Linden from Detroit for the 1962 eighth-round pick later used on Frank Imperiale. Draft records support the trade and downstream selection even though another transaction log describes release-and-signing mechanics. Linden contributed to Cleveland and continued a long NFL career, while Imperiale never appeared in a regular-season game, making the Browns the clear hindsight winner.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit moved Errol Linden to Cleveland and received the 1962 eighth-round selection used on Frank Imperiale. The pick produced no NFL regular-season appearances, while Linden gave Cleveland useful service and continued a lengthy professional career. Although historical logs describe the movement differently, the draft-pick trail supports the exchange and the value outcome strongly favors Cleveland.
Value in Hindsight
The historical mechanics deserve a note because one record treats the movement as a release and signing rather than a conventional trade. The draft-pick ledger, however, ties Detroit's eighth-round return to Linden's move and identifies the player selected with that choice. For grading purposes, the more important point is that Cleveland received a useful player while Detroit's pick never reached a regular-season field. Even if the procedural description varies across records, the realized value comparison is not close. Cleveland converted the transaction into actual service and longevity, while Detroit's return stopped at the draft card.
Final Verdict
Cleveland wins clearly. A B rewards useful service and career longevity from Linden, while Detroit's D reflects a pick that produced no regular-season appearances. The Browns realized the only substantial football value from the exchange.