Los Angeles acquired veteran defensive back Willie Daniel…
Los Angeles acquired veteran defensive back Willie Daniel from Pittsburgh for a draft choice whose exact identity is disputed in historical records, most likely a 1968 third-rounder. Daniel immediately became a useful Rams defender, appearing in 38 regular-season games across three seasons and intercepting three passes. Pittsburgh gained draft capital, but the uncertain downstream identity limits the return that can be credited confidently.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Willie Daniel
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick draft pick (possibly 1968 #79- Ken Hebert / Ken Herbert OR possibly 1968 #189-Bill Glennon)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On June 9, 1967, Pittsburgh traded defensive back Willie Daniel to the Los Angeles Rams for a draft choice. Historical draft records agree that a pick went to the Steelers, but the exact downstream selection is not perfectly settled. The strongest trail points to the 1968 third-round choice at No. 79, Ken Hebert, while another historical path has been associated with No. 189 Bill Glennon.
Los Angeles/Cleveland/St. Louis Rams Return
Daniel was a known veteran and quickly provided Los Angeles with dependable secondary depth. He appeared in 14 games in both 1967 and 1968 and 10 more in 1969, recording two interceptions in his first Rams season and another in 1969. For a team built around an elite defense, three seasons of availability from a veteran defensive back represented useful value without a premium acquisition cost.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh gained a draft asset rather than retaining a veteran who had already spent six seasons with the club. That was a defensible roster decision. The difficulty in grading the Steelers more favorably is historical uncertainty around the exact selection and therefore the precise player outcome attached to it. The return had legitimate draft value, but its realized value cannot be credited as strongly as Daniel's documented Rams contribution.
Value in Hindsight
Los Angeles received the more certain result: three seasons and 38 games from Daniel. Pittsburgh received future capital but lacks the same clean player-value trail. That uncertainty lowers confidence slightly without making the transaction ungradable.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles/Cleveland/St. Louis Rams Win. The Rams earn a B for converting a draft choice into several useful seasons from Daniel. Pittsburgh gets a D+ because the pick had value, but the available record does not show a return that clearly matched Daniel's contribution.