The Chargers received the 1975 sixth-round choice at No. 151,…
The Chargers received the 1975 sixth-round choice at No. 151, then moved that pick to Chicago for Jim Harrison before the Bears selected Tom Hicks. Harrison did not deliver a regular-season return for San Diego, so the downstream value was minimal. That outcome supports a D+ grade within the Los Angeles Rams Win verdict. The grade reflects realized football value rather than the size of the original package.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1975 sixth round pick (#151; later traded to Chicago for Jim Harrison ; Chicago selected Tom Hicks)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Willie McGee
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1974-09-06, Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams completed an exchange in which Los Angeles Chargers received 1975 sixth round pick (#151; later traded to Chicago for Jim Harrison; Chicago selected Tom Hicks), while Los Angeles Rams received Willie McGee. The later careers and downstream use of those assets make the hindsight comparison meaningful. The strongest evaluation comes from weighing what each side actually received and what those pieces produced after the deal.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
The Chargers received the 1975 sixth-round choice at No. 151, then moved that pick to Chicago for Jim Harrison before the Bears selected Tom Hicks. Harrison did not deliver a regular-season return for San Diego, so the downstream value was minimal. That outcome supports a D+ grade within the Los Angeles Rams Win verdict. The grade reflects realized football value rather than the size of the original package.
Los Angeles Rams Return
The Rams received Willie McGee, who spent two full seasons with Los Angeles as a reserve receiver and returner. That was modest production, but it was tangible roster value and clearly exceeded what the Chargers ultimately realized from the transferred pick. That outcome supports a B grade within the Los Angeles Rams Win verdict. The grade reflects realized football value rather than the size of the original package.
Value in Hindsight
The Chargers' official trade history and the 1975 draft records show Los Angeles sent Willie McGee for San Diego's sixth-round choice, No. 151, which the Chargers later moved to Chicago for Jim Harrison. McGee played two full Rams seasons as a returner and reserve receiver, while Harrison produced no Chargers regular-season return. That evidence makes the relative value easier to judge with the benefit of completed careers and documented transaction history. It also keeps the comparison proportional to the scale of the deal instead of overstating a modest exchange.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win. The grades reflect the difference in realized football value while keeping the size and era of the transaction in perspective. Where both returns were limited, the grades stay modest; where one side produced a durable contributor, the advantage is correspondingly larger.