Arizona Cardinals–Denver Broncos Trade History

Denver acquired fullback Willis Crenshaw from St. Louis in 1970 for the 1971 third-round pick used on Jim Livesay at No. 61. Crenshaw played 12 games for the Broncos, rushing for 200 yards and five touchdowns while adding 105 receiving yards and another score. Livesay was drafted by the Cardinals but never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Denver received a useful season of production, giving the Broncos the clear edge.

Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos exchanged 1974 tenth round pick (#251-Greg Hartle) for Dale Hackbart. Hackbart had been a long-time NFL defender, but his Denver stay was brief. The important comparison is longevity and realized roster value. In hindsight, Arizona Cardinals produced the stronger realized return, with the grade based on actual post-trade service and traceable downstream value rather than the nominal asset label alone.

Denver sent defensive back Jeff Severson to the Cardinals on April 9, 1976 for the ninth-round pick used on Jim Lisko. Lisko never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Severson played both 1976 and 1977 for the Cardinals, totaling 28 games, three starts and an interception. The Cardinals therefore converted a ninth-round pick into useful depth and own the clear win.

Arizona Cardinals received 1980 eighth round pick (#211-Grant Hudson) and 1981 tenth round pick (#263-Jim Joiner). The Cardinals received an eighth-round choice that became Grant Hudson and a tenth-round choice that became Jim Joiner. Neither selection produced NFL regular-season value for the franchise. Denver converted two late selections into the only meaningful regular-season production in the exchange, giving the Broncos a clear but appropriately measured win. That outcome supports a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals received Ricky Hunley in the deal with Denver Broncos. Hunley appeared in 16 Cardinals games without a start in 1988 and recorded one sack. Arizona received one season of reserve linebacker work. That outcome supports a C for Arizona Cardinals. The Even Trade verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

Arizona Cardinals received 1990 twelfth round pick (#330-Ken McMichel). Arizona received the 1990 twelfth-round choice used on Ken McMichel. That deep-round selection did not produce meaningful Cardinals regular-season value, while the player Arizona surrendered became an important specialist in Denver. The low draft cost softens the loss, but the realized result was still far below the value David Treadwell created for the Broncos. That result supports a D grade for Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona received tight end Dave Little. His acquisition provided the Cardinals with the more direct player return, and the available career record supports a small edge over Denver's late-round selection rather than a large or franchise-changing advantage. The C+ grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Win.

Arizona Cardinals received 1991 eighth round pick (#198-Greg Amsler). Arizona received the 1991 eighth-round choice that became No. 198 Greg Amsler. The late-round selection did not develop into meaningful Cardinals regular-season value. Because Denver obtained usable defensive-line production from David Galloway, Arizona's return lands on the weaker side of the exchange despite the relatively low acquisition cost. That result supports a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona acquired edge rusher Baron Browning from Denver for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Browning immediately joined the Cardinals' rotation, recorded two sacks in eight games after the trade and later re-signed, then added 34 tackles, two sacks and an interception in 2025. Denver recovered a late selection, but Arizona received multiple seasons of usable defensive snaps for a modest price.