Pittsburgh acquired linebacker Stan Sheriff and defensive…
Pittsburgh acquired linebacker Stan Sheriff and defensive back Dewey McConnell from the Rams on September 10, 1954 for a future draft choice. Both newcomers played that season, with Sheriff starting seven games and McConnell four. Surviving draft-trade records only tentatively connect the Rams’ return to 1955 pick No. 18, so that selection should not be credited as a confirmed downstream asset.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick Future draft choice (round and selection not established by surviving records)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Stan Sheriff
- player Dewey McConnell
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
On September 10, 1954, the Los Angeles Rams sent Stan Sheriff and Dewey McConnell to Pittsburgh for a future draft choice. Historical transaction records sometimes connect that consideration to the 1955 selection at No. 18, used on Bob Long, but the same draft-choice trail is marked as unconfirmed. The responsible treatment is therefore to record the Rams’ return as a future pick without assigning a specific player to it.
Why Pittsburgh Wanted the Pair
The Steelers were adding two young defenders immediately before the season. Sheriff, a Rams draft choice from Cal Poly, became a regular linebacker in Pittsburgh. McConnell, a former Wyoming standout, could contribute in the secondary and on returns. Instead of waiting for a future selection, Pittsburgh bought playable depth for the 1954 roster.
What They Produced
Sheriff appeared in all 12 Steelers games and started seven, recording an interception. McConnell played nine games with four starts and intercepted three passes. Neither became a long-term Pittsburgh cornerstone—Sheriff was in the Army in 1955 and later played elsewhere—but both supplied tangible value in the season for which they were acquired.
The Rams’ Uncertain Return
Los Angeles undeniably received draft compensation, but the historical record does not securely identify its round or final player. That uncertainty limits any attempt to award the Rams credit for a notable downstream selection. It also means the deal should be graded on what can actually be documented rather than on a speculative Bob Long connection.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh earns a B- for turning a future choice into two players who immediately contributed. The Rams receive a C because they recovered draft capital but its realized outcome is not reliably traceable. With the confirmed evidence available, the Steelers hold the better documented return.
Pittsburgh's immediate defensive production is the strongest confirmed return.