Pittsburgh acquired John Hilton and Pat Batten from Detroit…
Pittsburgh acquired John Hilton and Pat Batten from Detroit on August 23, 1965 for the Steelers' 1966 fifth-round selection, No. 67. Hilton became the real prize, playing five seasons for Pittsburgh and producing 108 receptions for 1,494 yards and 10 touchdowns from 1965 through 1969. Batten was released before the regular season.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1966 fifth-round pick (#67- Bill Cody )
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player John Hilton
- player Pat Batten
Trade Analysis
The legacy row was directionally correct but treated the draft return as only a possibility. The transaction chain is strong enough to resolve it. Contemporary reporting on August 24, 1965 says the Steelers obtained rookie offensive end John Hilton and fullback Pat Batten from Detroit for a draft choice. Pro Sports Transactions records the August 23 deal and notes that Pittsburgh's media guide sends a choice to Detroit, Detroit's media guide identifies fifth-round pick No. 67 Bill Cody as coming from Pittsburgh, and contemporary Associated Press draft reporting likewise describes Cody as a choice acquired from Pittsburgh. The 1966 draft ledger confirms Detroit selected Cody at No. 67. The football outcome then favors Pittsburgh by a wide margin. NFL and Pro Football Reference records show Hilton developing into a major part of the Steelers offense: across 1965-69 he appeared in 66 games, became the regular tight end, caught 108 passes for 1,494 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Batten did not add regular-season value for Pittsburgh; Pro Football Archives records the Steelers releasing him on September 14, 1965. Detroit's return produced only one Lions game from Cody before the Saints selected him in the 1967 expansion draft. Cody later became a useful linebacker in New Orleans, but that later production did not accrue to Detroit. A fifth-round choice for five seasons of productive Hilton service is a clear Pittsburgh win even after accounting for Batten's quick release. The evidence supports B+ for Pittsburgh and D for Detroit.