the Rams received Gary Jeter, while the Giants received 1983…
the Rams received Gary Jeter, while the Giants received 1983 third round pick (#63-Jamie Williams), 1983 sixth round pick (#153-Kevin Belcher). The hindsight grades are A- for the Rams and C+ for the Giants. The verdict is grounded in the actual starts, production, tenure and downstream draft results produced by those assets.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Gary Jeter
New York Giants Received
- pick 1983 third round pick (#63-Jamie Williams)
- pick 1983 sixth round pick (#153-Kevin Belcher)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1983-04-13, the Rams received Gary Jeter, while the Giants received 1983 third round pick (#63-Jamie Williams), 1983 sixth round pick (#153-Kevin Belcher). Hindsight is unusually useful here because the acquired assets now have a concrete NFL record. The grades can therefore be tied to what those players and picks actually produced for their new teams.
Los Angeles Rams Return
The Rams received Gary Jeter, who became an immediate pass-rush producer. Jeter had 6.5 sacks in 1983, 11 in 1985, eight in 1986, seven in 1987 and 11.5 in 1988. Across six Rams seasons after the trade, he delivered multiple double-digit-sack years and sustained defensive value. Those results are the basis for the Rams's A- grade.
New York Giants Return
The Giants used the picks on Jamie Williams and Kevin Belcher. Williams did not become a Giants contributor; his NFL career began with one game for St. Louis in 1983 before he later developed elsewhere. Belcher did provide value, appearing in 32 Giants games and starting all 16 in 1984. That record supports the Giants's C+ grade.
Value in Hindsight
The trade is best understood through those specific outcomes. The meaningful comparison is the actual games, starts, statistics, longevity and downstream draft use created by each side's return. A pick that was moved again is credited through the supported transaction chain, not by pretending the original team drafted a player it never selected.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles/Cleveland/St. Louis Rams Win, A- to C+. Gary Jeter supplied sustained Rams pass-rush production across six seasons, including multiple double-digit-sack years. The Giants received useful service from Kevin Belcher, but Jamie Williams did not become a Giants contributor. The realized gap supports the Rams' stronger grade.