Washington acquired tackle Tim Stokes plus two 1976 draft…
Washington acquired tackle Tim Stokes plus two 1976 draft choices from the Rams for four future picks. Stokes started 33 games for Washington from 1975 through 1977, providing meaningful line value. The Rams' return eventually included 1978 Pro Bowl kicker Frank Corral and additional draft capital that was moved in later deals. Los Angeles gets the edge, but Washington's useful starter prevents a poor grade.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1978 second round pick (#46-Stan Johnson)
- pick 1978 third round pick (#78-Frank Corral)
- pick 1978 fourth round pick (#103) [later traded with 1978 first round pick (#23-Ozzie Newsome) to Cleveland Browns for 1978 first round pick (#20-Elvis Peacock)]
- pick 1979 fifth round pick (#124) [later traded with 1979 sixth round pick (#163-Jim Ronan) to Cleveland Browns for Oscar Roan and 1979 fifth round pick (#122-Victor Hicks)]
Washington Commanders Received
- player Tim Stokes
- pick 1976 sixth round pick (#179-Tom Marvaso / Tommy Marvaso)
- pick 1976 eighth round pick (#234-Bryan Fryer)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Washington acquired tackle Tim Stokes and two 1976 draft choices from the Rams on September 4, 1975, while sending Los Angeles four future selections: second-, third-, and fourth-round choices in 1978 plus a fifth-rounder in 1979. Washington's 1976 media guide confirms the basic structure of Stokes plus two picks for four future picks.
What Washington Received
Stokes became a legitimate starting tackle. He started five games in 1975 before a knee injury ended his season, then started all 14 games in both 1976 and 1977. That is 33 Washington starts across three seasons. The two 1976 choices also gave Washington additional roster opportunities. The acquisition therefore produced real line stability rather than a short-lived veteran rental.
What Los Angeles Received
The Rams accumulated a broad package of future capital. The 1978 third-round choice became Frank Corral at No. 78. Corral immediately made the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro recognition as a rookie, then handled Rams kicking duties for four seasons. The other picks retained value as selections or trade currency, including assets that later moved through Cleveland-related draft transactions. Even without assigning every downstream move maximum credit, Corral alone was a meaningful payoff.
Why Los Angeles Gets the Edge
Washington's side deserves respect because Stokes started every game for two full seasons. The price, however, was four future picks, and Los Angeles converted part of that package into an award-winning specialist while retaining additional capital. The volume of assets plus Corral's four-year contribution outweighs Washington's three-season tackle return.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles receives a B+ and Washington a B-. The Rams win on the combination of draft volume and Corral's realized production, but Stokes was a bona fide starter for Washington. This was a productive trade for both sides, with the Rams extracting the stronger total return.