The Rams acquired veteran cornerback Gary Green from Kansas…
The Rams acquired veteran cornerback Gary Green from Kansas City for the selections that became first-round tackle John Alt and fifth-rounder Jeff Paine. Green rewarded Los Angeles with two strong seasons and nine interceptions, so the Rams received genuine value. Alt's 13-year Chiefs career and 149 starts ultimately gave Kansas City the more durable and valuable return.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 1984 first round pick (#21-John Alt)
- pick 1984 fifth round pick (#134-Jeff Paine)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Gary Green
Trade Analysis
This deal is better understood as a good short-term acquisition losing to an excellent long-term draft result. The Rams wanted an established cornerback and received Gary Green, who had already been a productive Kansas City defender. NFL statistics show Green playing all 32 regular-season games for Los Angeles in 1984 and 1985, intercepting three passes in the first season and six in the second. That is substantial immediate value.
Kansas City received the selections that became John Alt at No. 21 and Jeff Paine at No. 134. Alt became the defining piece. NFL records credit him with 179 games and 149 starts for the Chiefs from 1984 through 1996. He developed into a long-term starting tackle and eventually earned Pro Bowl recognition, giving Kansas City more than a decade of stability from the first-round choice.
The Rams therefore deserve more than a middling grade. Green was not a brief rental who failed; he was an effective starter for two full seasons. But the exchange still favors Kansas City because the Chiefs converted an older veteran into a first-round offensive lineman who remained with the franchise for 13 seasons. Paine adds only a smaller secondary component to that advantage.
An A for Kansas City reflects Alt's longevity and quality. A B for Los Angeles recognizes that the Rams got exactly the kind of veteran performance they were seeking, just for far less time. The winner is Kansas City because a decade-plus starter at a premium offensive-line position outweighed two strong seasons of Green.