Oakland acquired veteran safety Ron Smith from San Diego on…
Oakland acquired veteran safety Ron Smith from San Diego on August 15, 1974 for 1975 fourth- and eighth-round selections. San Diego used the fourth-rounder at No. 101 on Ken Bernich and the eighth-rounder at No. 206 on Ralph Perretta. Smith was a veteran safety moving to Oakland, while San Diego's compensation was entirely future draft capital. That balance of realized value gives the edge to Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Ron Smith (b. 1943-05-03)
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1975 fourth round pick (#101-Ken Bernich)
- pick 1975 eighth round pick (#206-Ralph Perretta)
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Oakland acquired veteran safety Ron Smith from San Diego on August 15, 1974 for 1975 fourth- and eighth-round selections. The exchange fit a common 1970s roster calculation: one club preferred an established player or immediate help, while the other accepted draft capital or a different asset path. The important hindsight question is not the nominal round alone, but what each team actually received once the move played out.
What Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders Received
San Diego used the fourth-rounder at No. 101 on Ken Bernich and the eighth-rounder at No. 206 on Ralph Perretta. For Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, that outcome is the main measure of the return. Immediate playing time matters, but so do durability, starts, scoring, and whether the acquired asset remained useful beyond a short stop. The result gives Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders a D+ because the club's realized contribution must be judged against what it surrendered.
What Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Received
Smith was a veteran safety moving to Oakland, while San Diego's compensation was entirely future draft capital. That gives Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers a different value profile from the other side. A draft choice only becomes valuable when it turns into useful football production, while a veteran's value depends on how much he actually contributes after the trade. On that basis, Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers earns a B.
Why the Verdict Lands Here
The Chargers turned a veteran departure into two draft assets, including Perretta, who went on to a substantial NFL career, giving San Diego the stronger realized return. The comparison therefore rests on direct, realized NFL value rather than the theoretical price of the assets on the day of the deal. Longevity and meaningful contribution carry more weight than a pick number by itself, and a short stay can still matter when the opposing return produces even less.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win. Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders receives a D+, while Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers receives a B. The grades reflect the confirmed package and the football contribution that followed for each franchise.