San Diego moved Jim Schmedding to New England and received…
San Diego moved Jim Schmedding to New England and received the Patriots' 1972 sixth-round choice, although the exact selection cannot be identified confidently. Schmedding's recorded NFL playing career ended after his 1970 Chargers season, so New England did not receive a regular-season payoff from the acquisition. Even without a traced downstream pick, San Diego retained the slightly better practical position.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1972 sixth round pick (selection not identified)
New England Patriots Received
- player Jim Schmedding
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1971-02-01, San Diego Chargers received 1972 sixth round pick (selection not identified), while New England Patriots received Jim Schmedding. The trade is judged by the football value each club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange. When a draft choice cannot be tied confidently to a later selection, the asset remains described at the level the historical evidence supports.
San Diego Chargers Return
San Diego moved Jim Schmedding to New England and received the Patriots' 1972 sixth-round choice, although the exact selection cannot be identified confidently. Schmedding's recorded NFL playing career ended after his 1970 Chargers season, so New England did not receive a regular-season payoff from the acquisition. Even without a traced downstream pick, San Diego retained the slightly better practical position.
New England Patriots Return
New England acquired Jim Schmedding from San Diego for its 1972 sixth-round draft choice. The exact Chargers selection cannot be tied safely to the transaction, but Schmedding did not appear in a regular-season game for the Patriots after arriving. That absence of on-field return leaves New England with the lower grade, while the unresolved pick prevents assigning San Diego an especially large advantage.
Value in Hindsight
This is a case where the unidentified downstream selection should remain unidentified. San Diego clearly received New England's 1972 sixth-round choice, but the available material does not connect the transaction to one exact drafted player with enough confidence. Schmedding, meanwhile, did not supply New England with regular-season value after the move. That leaves San Diego slightly ahead because it at least retained draft capital, while the uncertainty over the exact pick keeps the advantage limited rather than decisive.
Final Verdict
The final call is San Diego Chargers Win. San Diego Chargers earns C+, and New England Patriots earns D+. Those grades reflect the supported package, the documented post-trade production, and the relative football value each side ultimately realized from this exchange.