Kansas City sent veteran tight end Walter White and a 1980…
Kansas City sent veteran tight end Walter White and a 1980 seventh-round pick, correctly No. 176 Kirk Collins, to the Rams for a 1980 sixth-round pick, No. 164 Larry Heater, and a 1981 third-round pick, No. 78 Lloyd Burruss. Burruss became the defining asset, playing 145 games with 103 starts, earning a Pro Bowl selection and later entering the Chiefs Hall of Honor. The corrected pick numbers and Burruss' career make Kansas City the decisive winner.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 1980 sixth round pick (#164-Larry Heater)
- pick 1981 third round pick (#78-Lloyd Burruss)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Walter White
- pick 1980 seventh round pick (#176-Kirk Collins)
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
The Rams acquired veteran tight end Walter White and a late 1980 selection, while Kansas City chose younger draft capital. The exact pick numbers matter: Kansas City's 1980 sixth-round return was No. 164 Larry Heater, and the Rams' seventh-round return was No. 176 Kirk Collins. The Chiefs also received a 1981 third-round selection, the asset that eventually defined the deal.
What Kansas City Received
The 1981 third-round pick became Lloyd Burruss at No. 78. Burruss went on to play 145 games with 103 starts for Kansas City, intercepted 22 passes, earned a Pro Bowl selection and later entered the Chiefs Hall of Honor. That career dwarfs the ordinary expectation for a third-round choice. The sixth-round selection used on Heater was secondary once Burruss developed into a long-term defensive fixture.
What the Rams Received
Los Angeles received White and No. 176, used on Kirk Collins. White had already produced his best NFL seasons in Kansas City and did not give the Rams a comparable long-term return. Collins also did not become the kind of player who could offset Burruss' decade of service. The Rams obtained recognizable pieces, but neither became an enduring core asset.
How the Value Developed
The trade's direction was established by Burruss' longevity. Kansas City converted a future third into more than 100 starts and high-level secondary production. Because the Chiefs also received a sixth-round choice, the return had both quantity and exceptional realized quality. The Rams' veteran-and-late-pick package never closed that gap.
Final Verdict
Kansas City earns an A- and the Rams a D+. Burruss alone delivered a franchise-level return from a third-round pick, while the Rams received no similarly durable piece. Correcting the pick numbers and Burruss spelling strengthens the historical account, but the verdict is driven by the enormous difference in on-field value.