Tom Keating NFL Trade History

Minnesota traded Hall of Fame halfback Hugh McElhenny to New York on July 14, 1963, and received two confirmed draft choices: the 1964 fourth-round pick used on Tom Keating and the 1965 second-round pick used on Archie Sutton. McElhenny helped a Giants team reach the 1963 NFL Championship Game, but his New York tenure lasted only one season, leaving Minnesota with the stronger long-term asset return.

Buffalo Bills received Bo Roberson. Buffalo acquired Bo Roberson during its 1965 championship season and received immediate offensive help, including 31 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. Buffalo gained useful championship-season help, while Oakland's delayed return produced meaningful longer-term value, so both sides deserve strong marks. That outcome supports a B grade for Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo received cash when Flint and Keating went to Oakland to complete the earlier Bo Roberson transaction. The exact amount is not established, so the return must remain unquantified. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Oakland sent veteran defensive tackle Tom Keating to Pittsburgh on July 23, 1973, for the Steelers’ 1974 third-round pick, No. 75 overall. Pittsburgh got 12 games and four starts from Keating before he left after one season. Oakland used the pick on Mark van Eeghen, who became a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the franchise’s most productive rushers.

Kansas City Chiefs received Tom Keating in the exchange with Pittsburgh Steelers. Tom Keating immediately gave Kansas City substantial defensive-line playing time across the next two seasons. Against the other side's return of 1975 15th round pick (#371-Jim Thatcher), that outcome supports a B grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as Kansas City Chiefs Win, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.