Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received the 1979 eighth-round…
Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received the 1979 eighth-round selection at No. 218 for Jerry Latin. The Cardinals later moved that pick to Kansas City, so their direct benefit was the draft currency rather than the player eventually selected there. The asset retained some value, but it did not produce a stronger direct return than Latin gave Los Angeles, supporting a C+.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1979 eighth round pick (#218-Robert Brewer)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Jerry Latin
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
St. Louis sent Jerry Latin to the Los Angeles Rams in September 1978 for a 1979 eighth-round choice, ultimately No. 218. The Cardinals later moved that selection to Kansas City, which means the clean comparison should not simply assign Kansas City's eventual draftee to St. Louis. The Cardinals received tradeable draft currency; the Rams received a player who contributed immediately.
Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Return
The eighth-round pick gave St. Louis another asset to use in later roster movement. That has real value, even though the Cardinals did not ultimately make the selection themselves. Because the choice was so late, its expected value was limited, and the later transaction prevents a clean claim that St. Louis directly developed a useful player from the pick. A C+ appropriately credits the retained flexibility without inflating the downstream result.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Latin played 14 games for Los Angeles in 1978, carried the ball, and contributed extensively on kickoff returns. He was not a featured offensive player, but he gave a playoff team immediate depth and special-teams usefulness. For the price of an eighth-round selection, that is a favorable conversion. A B- fits the scale: solid low-cost production, but not enough impact to deserve a premium grade.
Value in Hindsight
The Rams win because they turned a very late future choice into actual same-season service. St. Louis kept some value by obtaining and later moving the selection, so the Cardinals' side should not be treated as a failure. The difference is simply that Los Angeles realized clearer football value directly from the original exchange.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win. Los Angeles receives a B- for Latin's immediate multi-role contribution during a playoff season. St. Louis receives a C+ for preserving useful but limited late-round draft currency.