Detroit acquired veteran defensive lineman Mike Fanning for a…
Detroit acquired veteran defensive lineman Mike Fanning for a future fifth-round pick. Fanning played 14 games with five starts for the Lions in 1983 and recorded a sack and a safety, giving Detroit immediate rotation and starting value. For a modest future selection, one full season of useful defensive-line service represents a solid return.
Detroit Lions Received
- player Mike Fanning
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1984 fifth round pick (#133-Hal Stephens)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1983-04-26, Detroit Lions received Mike Fanning, while Los Angeles Rams received 1984 fifth round pick (#133-Hal Stephens). This hindsight grade considers only the consideration each club controlled directly after the transaction. When an acquired selection or player later moved again, that later move is treated as provenance rather than as extra compensation. The central question is what practical football value each side ultimately created from the assets in this exchange.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit acquired veteran defensive lineman Mike Fanning for a future fifth-round pick. Fanning played 14 games with five starts for the Lions in 1983 and recorded a sack and a safety, giving Detroit immediate rotation and starting value. For a modest future selection, one full season of useful defensive-line service represents a solid return. The return is judged by usable games, starts, role value, or retained draft value that came directly from this exchange.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles received Detroit's 1984 fifth-round pick, No. 133, and selected Hal Stephens. Stephens played only two NFL games in his career and did not appear in a regular-season game for the Rams. Against Mike Fanning's 14-game season and five starts in Detroit, the Rams' direct return produced very little realized football value. The same standard applies here, keeping later unrelated transactions separate from the original bargain.
Value in Hindsight
Fanning delivered a full 14-game season with five starts for Detroit. The Rams' fifth-round selection became Hal Stephens, who never played a regular-season game for Los Angeles and appeared only twice in the NFL. That direct comparison strongly favors Detroit. Taken together, those outcomes support Detroit Lions Win and the stated grade separation. The scale remains proportional to the size of the deal and the certainty of the evidence rather than overstating a minor transaction.
Final Verdict
Detroit Lions receives a B and Los Angeles Rams receives a D+. The verdict is Detroit Lions Win. This conclusion reflects the direct assets, the football value each club actually realized, and the duration of that value. It does not award extra credit for later unrelated transactions involving an acquired pick or player.