Minnesota sent Cleveland a 1963 sixth-round pick and received…
Minnesota sent Cleveland a 1963 sixth-round pick and received Tom Franckhauser, Errol Linden, Charley Ferguson, and Fred Cox. The pick became Ernie Borghetti, while Cox developed into the defining return: he spent 15 seasons with the Vikings, became the franchise's longtime scoring leader, and helped multiple championship teams. The Browns received a late-round selection; Minnesota acquired several players and a lasting special-teams fixture.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1963 sixth round pick (#72-Ernie Borghetti)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Tom Franckhauser
- player Errol Linden
- player Charley Ferguson
- player Fred Cox
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
Minnesota acquired four players from Cleveland in 1962: Tom Franckhauser, Errol Linden, Charley Ferguson, and Fred Cox. The Browns received the Vikings' sixth-round choice in the 1963 draft, No. 72 overall, and selected Ernie Borghetti. For an expansion-era roster still trying to establish dependable contributors, Minnesota bought a broad package of players at the cost of one later draft selection.
Why Fred Cox Defines the Return
Cox is the reason the deal became so favorable for Minnesota. After initially failing to stick, he returned to the Vikings and became their kicker from 1963 through 1977. He finished his career with 1,365 points, played in 210 regular-season games, and was part of four Super Bowl teams. That kind of longevity from one piece of a four-player package dwarfs the cost of a single sixth-round selection.
What Cleveland Received
The Browns used the acquired No. 72 pick on Borghetti. He did not become a comparable long-term NFL contributor, leaving Cleveland with little realized value from the selection. The trade also sent away several players at once, which created additional chances for Minnesota to find useful depth. Franckhauser and Ferguson had shorter stays, but the sheer size of the package enhanced the Vikings' upside before Cox's career even separated the sides.
Final Verdict
Minnesota earns an A because a sixth-round pick brought four players and ultimately a 15-year kicker who became one of the franchise's enduring figures. Cleveland receives a C- because the pick was legitimate draft capital but did not produce similar NFL value. Cox's longevity and scoring impact make the Vikings the decisive winner even without assigning major credit to the other three players.