Detroit obtained two future selections. The sixth-round…
Detroit obtained two future selections. The sixth-round choice is tied in the surviving transaction record to Horace King with some qualification, while the 1976 eighth-rounder became Rich Sorenson. King went on to become the durable piece in the transaction and gave Detroit years of useful backfield production. That result supports a B+ grade within the Detroit Lions Win verdict.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1975 sixth round pick (possibly #141-Horace King)
- pick 1976 eighth round pick (#217-Rich Sorenson)
New England Patriots Received
- player Leon Crosswhite
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1975-01-28, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots completed an exchange in which Detroit Lions received 1975 sixth round pick (possibly #141-Horace King) and 1976 eighth round pick (#217-Rich Sorenson), while New England Patriots received Leon Crosswhite. Both sides obtained identifiable football value, so the hindsight comparison turns on what those pieces actually produced after the move rather than on the number of names or selections in the package. The later careers and roster roles provide the clearest way to separate the returns.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit obtained two future selections. The sixth-round choice is tied in the surviving transaction record to Horace King with some qualification, while the 1976 eighth-rounder became Rich Sorenson. King went on to become the durable piece in the transaction and gave Detroit years of useful backfield production. That result supports a B+ grade within the Detroit Lions Win verdict. The grade reflects realized contribution, role, and duration rather than the apparent size of the package on the transaction date.
New England Patriots Return
New England received Leon Crosswhite, but his Patriots contribution was much smaller than the long-term value Detroit realized. Crosswhite was a legitimate roster acquisition, yet the exchange did not produce an equivalent stretch of impact for New England. That result supports a C- grade within the Detroit Lions Win verdict. The comparison gives weight to actual professional contribution and does not treat a larger asset count as automatically more valuable.
Value in Hindsight
The important distinction is duration. Even allowing for the qualified attribution of the 1975 sixth-round choice, Detroit's side produced the clearly stronger football return. The extra 1976 selection adds to that edge without needing to overstate the value of either late pick. Looking back at the completed careers and downstream outcomes makes the relative value clearer than it was on the day of the exchange.
Final Verdict
Detroit wins because the Lions turned Crosswhite into a package that produced the most substantial and lasting contribution. The Patriots received a real player, but not enough value to match what Detroit ultimately gained. The grades are intentionally scaled to the modest size of the transaction and the strength of the documented on-field return.