Cleveland moved down from No. 13 to No. 20 and added the 47th…
Cleveland moved down from No. 13 to No. 20 and added the 47th pick, selecting Willis Adams and Sam Claphan. Neither player produced value close to the Hall of Fame career created by the pick the Browns surrendered. The trade gave Cleveland two chances instead of one, but the realized return was modest and the opportunity cost became enormous.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1979 first round pick (#20-Willis Adams)
- pick 1979 second round pick (#47-Sam Claphan)
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1979 first round pick (#13- Kellen Winslow (Sr.))
Trade Analysis
San Diego identified Kellen Winslow as a player worth moving up for and paid Cleveland two meaningful selections to get him. The Chargers acquired the 13th overall pick in the 1979 draft, while the Browns moved to No. 20 and also received No. 47. Cleveland used those selections on wide receiver Willis Adams and offensive lineman Sam Claphan.
The outcome at No. 13 changed the evaluation completely. Winslow became a central figure in the Air Coryell offense and eventually a Pro Football Hall of Famer. His combination of receiving volume, athleticism and matchup value helped redefine expectations for the tight end position. San Diego did not merely land a good starter; it acquired a player whose peak performance and historical significance became part of the franchise’s identity.
Cleveland’s two-player return did not approach that level. Adams and Claphan provided some NFL service, but neither became a foundational player or supplied enough cumulative value to offset the star the Browns enabled San Diego to select. Moving down can be good process when the added selection creates additional value, but the realized results here were dramatically different.
The Chargers earn an A+ because they paid a reasonable move-up premium and converted it into a Hall of Fame cornerstone. Cleveland receives a D+ because it did obtain two players and therefore was not left empty-handed, but the combined return was far below Winslow’s impact. The gap in peak performance, longevity and franchise importance makes San Diego the clear winner. Few move-up trades from this era produced a cleaner difference in realized player quality.