San Diego sent Washington a 1992 first-round pick that became…
San Diego sent Washington a 1992 first-round pick that became No. 6 overall and received No. 47 Eric Moten plus a 1992 fifth-round selection. Moten became a durable Chargers starter, while Washington turned the premium pick into leverage for another move up the 1992 board. Both clubs created meaningful value, even though Washington's later conversion carried mixed results.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1991 second round pick (#47-Eric Moten)
- pick 1992 fifth round pick (#140-Eric Jonassen)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1992 first round pick (#6-David Klingler)
Trade Analysis
San Diego gave up the most valuable nominal asset, a future first-round pick that became No. 6 overall in 1992, but the Chargers received a player who justified much of the price. Eric Moten, selected 47th in 1991, developed into a durable offensive guard and started the overwhelming majority of his 67 NFL games, all with the Chargers. The future fifth-round selection added another chance, but Moten is the reason San Diego's side grades well.
Washington's return was different: premium draft leverage. The sixth pick was valuable enough to become a centerpiece in Washington's 1992 move up to No. 4 for Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard. That later deal also involved Washington's own first- and third-round capital, and Howard never became the receiving star Washington envisioned. It would be misleading, though, to grade this original transaction solely by Howard's disappointing tenure. The asset San Diego sent was genuinely powerful; Washington had the ability to keep No. 6, trade it for a different package, or use it to reach another target.
That distinction supports an even verdict. The Chargers converted their side directly into a multi-year starting lineman, giving them tangible roster value. Washington received the scarcer asset and used it aggressively, though the eventual conversion did not maximize its potential. Both teams can reasonably claim value from the exchange: San Diego through Moten's sustained line play, Washington through possession of a top-six pick. Matching B+ grades recognize that the original trade worked before Washington's separate draft-day choice complicated the final outcome.