Los Angeles received defensive back Eddie Brown and a 1981…
Los Angeles received defensive back Eddie Brown and a 1981 seventh-round pick in a broad July 1978 exchange. Brown gave the Rams useful immediate value, including a productive 1979 season and postseason contributions, but the Rams surrendered several players and premium future choices. The return was real, yet not large enough to match Washington’s deeper package.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player (Paul) Eddie Brown
- pick 1981 seventh round pick (#175-Ron Battle)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Donnie Hickman
- player Jeff Williams
- pick 1979 third round pick (#80; later dealt through Miami and Oakland to Tampa Bay, which used it on Rick Berns)
- pick 1980 second round pick (#55-Mat Mendenhall)
- pick 1980 fifth round pick (#137-Kenny Johnson)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
The Rams acquired Eddie Brown and a 1981 seventh-round choice from Washington on July 24, 1978. Washington received Donnie Hickman, Jeff Williams, a 1979 third-round choice, a 1980 second-round choice and a 1980 fifth-round choice. The 1979 third-rounder later moved through other clubs before Tampa Bay used it on Rick Berns, so Washington’s value from that choice was its ability to move the asset rather than Berns’ career itself.
Why Washington Gets the Edge
The strongest Washington piece was Williams. Although he briefly left camp in 1978, he returned, started the final portion of that season and became a regular guard over the next two years. Hickman had only a short Washington stay, and the draft selections produced a mixed set of outcomes, but the second-round value and the quantity of pieces gave Washington several ways to recover value from one transaction. That breadth matters when judging the whole exchange rather than one name.
How the Rams Still Got Something Useful
Brown contributed enough to keep this from becoming a poor Rams deal. He started games in 1979, intercepted passes and remained part of a defense that reached Super Bowl XIV. Los Angeles also received the later seventh-round choice used on Ron Battle. Brown’s tenure was shorter than the combined Washington return, but he was a genuine contributor to a contender and gives the Rams more credit than a simple package-count comparison would suggest.
Final Verdict
Washington receives a B+ for turning Brown into a useful starting lineman, multiple other pieces and valuable draft capital. Los Angeles receives a C+ because Brown helped a championship-caliber roster but did not provide enough years or peak value to balance the package surrendered. Washington wins on depth and duration, though the margin is smaller than the raw asset count implies.