Arizona Cardinals–Washington Commanders Trade History

Arizona Cardinals received 1953 ninth round draft choice (possibly #99-Ed Husmann). The Cardinals received Washington's 1953 ninth-round choice. The current record identifies the downstream selection only as possibly No. 99 Ed Husmann, and that qualification must remain. Arizona therefore received a real draft asset, but its exact player outcome cannot be treated as certain.

Multi-team transaction also involving Los Angeles Rams.

Arizona captured the strongest long-term value in the January 30, 1954 three-team trade. The Cardinals received Night Train Lane, Len Teeuws and Bob Morgan; Lane became a six-year secondary star for the franchise and Teeuws became a four-year starter. Washington also created useful value by later turning Don Paul into Johnny Carson and Dale Atkeson, while the Rams' direct return proved much shorter-lived.

The Cardinals received Ben Preston plus the 1959 No. 52 pick used on Ted Bates. Bates supplied one useful season for the club, giving the return some genuine value, but the package did not generate the same sustained production Washington received from Johnny Olszewski. Arizona therefore lands slightly below average rather than failing completely in this historical exchange.

Arizona Cardinals and Washington completed this transaction on 1961-09-12, with Arizona Cardinals receiving Ralph Guglielmi and Washington receiving George Izo. The cited historical sources support the basic exchange and its compensation. The long-term value remained modest on both sides, leaving the exchange best graded as an even result.

St. Louis acquired Lonnie Sanders from Washington for defensive back Jim Burson, whose historical references also use James and Jimmy Burson. Sanders immediately played 13 games, started 11, and intercepted three passes for the Cardinals in 1968. Burson was moved again and spent that season starting for Atlanta, leaving St. Louis with the clearer direct value from the original player-for-player exchange.

Washington acquired veteran Fred Sturt from St. Louis for Jimmie Jones plus two draft selections: 1975 No. 178 Earl Douthitt and 1976 No. 141 Wayne Morris. The No. 178 pick later moved again, but that separate Cardinals-Bears deal was not part of Washington's payment. The Cardinals received the broader package and retain the slight value edge.

Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received Washington's 1976 fifteenth-round selection at No. 420 for the rights to Ray Parson and used it on Lee Nelson. Nelson became a ten-season defensive back for the franchise, appearing in 135 games with 64 starts. Turning a distant late-round pick into that much sustained service is exceptional value and earns the Cardinals an A.

Washington's signing of Dave Butz triggered a compensation settlement with St. Louis that sent the Cardinals first-round picks in 1977 and 1978 plus a 1979 second-rounder. Washington retained Butz and received lower selections in return. Butz then played 14 seasons, appeared in 203 games and became a defensive pillar on two Washington Super Bowl championship teams.

Arizona Cardinals received 1982 fifth round pick (#125-Earl Ferrell). Arizona received the 1982 fifth-round choice identified as No. 125, Earl Ferrell. Ferrell became a multi-year Cardinals contributor, giving the franchise lasting value from a relatively modest future pick. Compared with Washington Commanders' return, the result supports a A- grade and fits the Arizona Cardinals Win verdict.

Arizona Cardinals received 1995 7th round pick (212th overall, Billy Williams) in the exchange with Washington Commanders. The seventh-round selection did not become a comparable Cardinals contributor. Arizona received draft capital, but the direct football value tied to Williams was minimal. The D grade reflects the direct value Arizona Cardinals realized from the deal, while the Washington Commanders Win call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals received Vonnie Holliday; 2012 6th round pick (177th overall, Justin Bethel) from Washington, giving up Tim Hightower. Arizona received veteran defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday plus the future sixth-rounder used on Justin Bethel. Getting both an immediate player and a realized draft asset supports a B. That return supports a B grade for Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals. The final verdict is Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Win.