Los Angeles Chargers: San Diego converted the pick into…
Los Angeles Chargers: San Diego converted the pick into Woodrow Lowe, who became a long-term Chargers linebacker and supplied years of dependable defensive production. The A grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against New England Patriots, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Los Angeles Chargers Win.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1976 fifth round pick (#131-Woodrow Lowe)
New England Patriots Received
- player Bob Howard
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
San Diego traded Bob Howard to New England on July 3, 1975 for a 1976 fifth-round pick. The Chargers used No. 131 on Woodrow Lowe. The hindsight comparison stays tied to assets that remained connected to this deal. Later success counts only when the club still controlled the player or draft capital produced by the trade, which keeps a modest exchange from being inflated by unrelated moves.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
San Diego converted the pick into Woodrow Lowe, who became a long-term Chargers linebacker and supplied years of dependable defensive production. The A grade reflects the duration, role, and usefulness of that return. Immediate roster value matters, but short stays or assets that failed to produce meaningful game value limit the ceiling. The grade is scaled to the modest acquisition cost rather than judged against a blockbuster standard.
New England Patriots Return
New England received Bob Howard, who gave the Patriots three strong starting seasons. His performance made the trade a meaningful success for New England as well. The A- grade applies the same measure. Draft choices receive credit for what the club actually obtained or directly converted, while player returns are judged by games, starts, role, and sustained usefulness. That creates a consistent comparison across two very different forms of value.
Value in Hindsight
Both clubs did very well, but Lowe's longer tenure gives San Diego the slight edge. The result is driven by documented direct value rather than hypothetical alternatives. A low-cost trade can still be a clear win when one side receives useful seasons and the other gets almost nothing, while similarly small returns support an even result.
Final Verdict
The final call is Los Angeles Chargers Win. Final grades: Los Angeles Chargers A, New England Patriots A-. The judgment reflects the supported trade package, direct production, and any downstream draft value the acquiring club itself controlled. It does not assign credit for unrelated later success or penalize either club for outcomes outside this transaction.