Los Angeles received Tampa Bay's 1981 third-round pick, No.…
Los Angeles received Tampa Bay's 1981 third-round pick, No. 63, and used it on defensive lineman Greg Meisner. Meisner played eight seasons with the Rams, appeared in 103 games for the club, and became a starter in multiple seasons. Tampa Bay got useful short-term line help, but Meisner's durability and long tenure gave Los Angeles the stronger return.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1981 third round pick (#63-Greg Meisner)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Greg Horton
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Los Angeles Rams received 1981 third round pick (#63-Greg Meisner), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received Greg Horton. The deal is judged by what those assets actually produced after the exchange, including supported downstream draft outcomes.
What Los Angeles Rams Received
Los Angeles received Tampa Bay's 1981 third-round pick at No. 63 and selected defensive lineman Greg Meisner. Meisner played eight seasons with the Rams, appeared in 103 games for the club, and became a starter in multiple seasons, giving Los Angeles durable value from the pick.
What Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
Tampa Bay acquired guard Greg Horton in September 1978. Horton started 12 of the final 14 regular-season games that year and every game for the 1979 Buccaneers team that reached the NFC Championship Game, making him an important short-term starter.
How the Value Developed
Tampa Bay absolutely benefited from the deal, especially during its first playoff breakthrough. The Rams still get the higher grade because the third-round pick became a defender who remained with Los Angeles for eight seasons and provided much greater duration. That comparison focuses on the contribution each acquiring club actually received rather than treating the original draft slot or veteran reputation as value by itself.
Why the Difference Matters
This was a standard-tier transaction, so the grades should reflect the size of the practical football difference without turning a useful role player into a franchise-defining asset. Longevity, starting responsibility, production, and any well-supported downstream pick result all matter. The side with the better combination of those outcomes deserves the stronger grade, while a short or empty return remains near the middle or lower end of the scale.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams receives a B+ and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receives a B. The final call is Los Angeles Rams Win. Tampa Bay absolutely benefited from the deal, especially during its first playoff breakthrough. The Rams still get the higher grade because the third-round pick became a defender who remained with Los Angeles for eight seasons and provided much greater duration.