Detroit received 1978 fourth- and sixth-round picks; Denver…
Detroit received 1978 fourth- and sixth-round picks; Denver received Herman Weaver. Detroit received two 1978 draft choices for veteran punter Herman Weaver. Denver released Weaver before the 1977 regular season, and he subsequently handled Seattle's punting duties, leaving the Broncos without regular-season value from the acquisition. The hindsight grades are D for Denver Broncos and B for Detroit Lions, producing a Detroit Lions Win verdict.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Herman Weaver
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1978 fourth round pick (#109- Larry Tearry )
- pick 1978 sixth round pick (#165-Jesse Thompson)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Detroit received 1978 fourth- and sixth-round picks; Denver received Herman Weaver. Detroit received two 1978 draft choices for veteran punter Herman Weaver. Denver released Weaver before the 1977 regular season, and he subsequently handled Seattle's punting duties, leaving the Broncos without regular-season value from the acquisition. The fairest hindsight test is the actual regular-season service, durable asset value, and opportunity cost each club realized rather than the reputation attached to the names on the transaction date.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit converted a veteran specialist into two future selections, including a fourth-rounder. Even without turning those picks into stars, receiving multiple draft assets for a player who did not stick with the buyer is a strong result for a minor trade. The grade should stay proportional to the stakes: this was not a franchise-defining blockbuster, but even a small exchange can create a clear winner when one side receives dependable service and the other does not.
Denver Broncos Return
Denver paid two picks for Weaver but released him before the regular season. The lack of any regular-season Broncos contribution makes the cost difficult to justify in hindsight, especially because the Lions retained two chances to add younger talent. The evaluation gives credit for any real roster service, draft value, or certain consideration that materialized. It avoids inflating a return simply because an acquired player was once highly regarded or because a draft choice existed before its eventual use was known.
Value in Hindsight
Detroit received two 1978 draft choices for veteran punter Herman Weaver. Denver released Weaver before the 1977 regular season, and he subsequently handled Seattle's punting duties, leaving the Broncos without regular-season value from the acquisition. That is the key separation. A minor transaction can still deserve a positive grade when the cost was controlled and the return became useful, while a low-cost miss should remain a modest deduction rather than an extreme failure. The historical terms and subsequent service are specific enough to compare the clubs without overstating either side's gain.
Final Verdict
The final call is Detroit Lions Win. Denver Broncos receives a D, while Detroit Lions receives a B. Those grades reflect the verified package, the value that actually materialized after the deal, and the limited scale of the exchange.