Buffalo acquired Keith Lincoln from San Diego for Tom Day and…
Buffalo acquired Keith Lincoln from San Diego for Tom Day and the 1967 second-round pick used on Bob Howard. Lincoln gave the Bills excellent immediate production in 1967, making the deal worthwhile in the short term, but his second Buffalo stint was brief. San Diego's return produced the stronger long-term asset in Howard.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Keith Lincoln
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Tom Day
- pick 1967 second round pick (#48- Bob Howard )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On 1967-03-13, Buffalo Bills received Keith Lincoln, while San Diego Chargers received Tom Day and 1967 second round pick (#48-Bob Howard). The draft history links pick No. 48 to the Lincoln trade and identifies Bob Howard as the selection. The exchange is best judged by what those assets actually became for the acquiring clubs, rather than by the apparent size of each package on the day of the deal.
What Buffalo Bills Got
Buffalo acquired Keith Lincoln and received excellent immediate production in 1967, including major rushing and receiving contributions. His second Buffalo stint was short, however, which limits the long-range value of the Bills' side. That outcome gives the Buffalo Bills side a clear basis for its C+ grade. The value here is tied to real roster contribution, draft conversion, durability and the length of time the acquired assets helped the club. Short stays and assets that never reached the field count far less than multi-season production.
What San Diego Chargers Got
San Diego received Tom Day and the 48th selection in the 1967 draft, which became defensive back Bob Howard. Howard developed into a durable long-term NFL starter, giving the Chargers the strongest lasting asset in the exchange. That result supports a B grade for San Diego Chargers. The comparison also accounts for timing: immediate production can matter even when it does not last, while draft capital becomes especially valuable when it turns into a long-term starter or when the player sent away performs at a high level for years.
Final Verdict
The final judgment is San Diego Chargers Win. The decisive factor is the gap in realized football value between the two returns, not simply the number of names or picks exchanged. Buffalo Bills earns a C+, while San Diego Chargers earns a B. The result reflects the full historical arc of the players and selections involved and leaves room for useful short-term contributions on the losing side without treating them as equal to the stronger long-term return.