Kansas City acquired offensive tackle Jim Nicholson from the…
Kansas City acquired offensive tackle Jim Nicholson from the Los Angeles Rams for a 1975 fifth-round pick. Nicholson became a long-term Chiefs starter, appearing in 72 games with 62 starts from 1974 through 1979. Los Angeles used the No. 112 selection on defensive tackle Wayne Hammond, but Hammond never played a regular-season game for the Rams and later logged only five NFL games with Denver. Kansas City received the far stronger realized return.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- player Jim Nicholson
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1975 fifth-round pick, No. 112 overall, used on Wayne Hammond
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The Rams sent offensive tackle Jim Nicholson to Kansas City in 1974 for the Chiefs' 1975 fifth-round draft choice. The later draft trail is unusually clear: Los Angeles' official draft history identifies the No. 112 pick as coming from Kansas City, and ProSportsTransactions ties that exact choice to the Nicholson deal. The Rams used the selection on Montana State defensive tackle Wayne Hammond.
Kansas City's Return
Nicholson immediately became useful offensive-line help. NFL career records credit him with 13 games and eight starts for the Chiefs in 1974, followed by 12 starts in 1975, 14 starts in 1976 and 12 more in 1977. He remained with Kansas City through 1979. Across six Chiefs seasons he appeared in 72 games and started 62, spending much of that run at right tackle. For the price of a fifth-round choice, Kansas City received multiple seasons of durable starting-line value.
Los Angeles' Return
The Rams turned the pick into Hammond at No. 112 overall in the 1975 draft. Hammond made Los Angeles' 1976 preseason depth chart, but Pro Football Reference credits him with no regular-season appearances for the Rams. His only NFL regular-season action came later that season with Denver, where he played five games, made no starts and recorded one sack. The selection therefore produced essentially no realized regular-season value for Los Angeles.
Why the Original Verdict Was Backward
The old record graded Los Angeles higher, apparently because it treated the draft choice itself as the stronger durable asset without following the outcome. Hindsight grading must trace what the pick became. Once No. 112 is identified as Hammond and his Rams outcome is checked, the comparison reverses sharply: Kansas City received a six-year lineman and frequent starter, while Los Angeles received a draft prospect who never played a regular-season snap for the club.
Final Verdict
Kansas City Chiefs Win. The Chiefs earn an A- because a fifth-round pick bought 72 games and 62 starts from Nicholson, a very strong return for the acquisition cost. Los Angeles earns a C: obtaining a fifth-round selection for a player it was willing to move was reasonable process, but the drafted return did not contribute in a Rams regular-season game. The source trail and player outcomes are sufficiently clear for high confidence.