Cleveland acquired veteran nose tackle Jerry Ball from…
Cleveland acquired veteran nose tackle Jerry Ball from Detroit for 1993 third-round No. 68, which the Lions used on Mike Compton. Ball's Browns tenure was brief, while Compton developed into a long-term Detroit offensive-line starter and ultimately appeared in 151 NFL games. Detroit converted one third-round choice into substantially more durable value than Cleveland received.
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Jerry Ball
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1993 third round pick (#68-Mike Compton)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Detroit sent veteran defensive tackle Jerry Ball to Cleveland before the 1993 draft and received the Browns' third-round selection, No. 68 overall. The Lions used the pick on offensive lineman Mike Compton. Cleveland was buying an established interior defender, while Detroit chose to exchange veteran reputation for a younger, controllable player through the draft. Cleveland Browns Return Ball arrived with an impressive resume and gave Cleveland an experienced presence in the middle of its defense. The move made sense for a club seeking immediate veteran help, but his Browns tenure did not develop into a long-term cornerstone relationship. Cleveland received legitimate short-term value, yet the duration of that return was limited relative to the career that emerged from the outgoing pick. Detroit Lions Return Compton became a durable offensive lineman and supplied Detroit with multiple seasons of starting-caliber work. His broader NFL career reached 151 games, illustrating how much longevity the Lions extracted from the third-round selection. Detroit effectively converted a veteran whose best years were largely behind him into a younger player who could provide years of lineup stability and future value. Value in Hindsight This trade turns on timing. Cleveland paid for an established defender and received some immediate usefulness, but Detroit captured the more valuable portion of the remaining career curve. Compton's longevity and sustained starting role created a much larger cumulative return than Ball's short Cleveland stay. The fact that Detroit obtained that outcome with a single third-round pick makes the exchange especially favorable. Final Verdict Detroit earns a B+ and Cleveland a C. The Browns did not receive nothing; Ball was a proven player and could help immediately. Still, Compton's multi-year Detroit career and overall durability produced substantially more lasting football value. Hindsight therefore favors the Lions clearly, while Cleveland's reasonable short-term intent keeps the grade from falling into failing territory.