Buffalo Bills–Washington Commanders Trade History

Buffalo sent veteran defensive lineman Ron McDole to Washington for three 1973 draft choices, eventually Nos. 77, 103 and 181. The Bills gained useful draft volume, but McDole became a durable Washington starter and remained a fixture on the defense through the 1970s. His seven-plus seasons of direct value outweigh the scattered return created by Buffalo's package, giving Washington the stronger result.

Buffalo Bills received conditional draft pick (if Wilson makes Redskins roster) (probably 1973 #259-John LeHeup) in the exchange with Washington. Buffalo retained a conditional draft asset, likely the choice that became John LeHeup, although LeHeup never appeared in an NFL game for the Bills. The supported hindsight grade is C+. That mark reflects realized value tied directly to this transaction, with the overall result recorded as Buffalo Bills Win.

On 1978-10-10, Buffalo Bills received undisclosed draft pick, while Washington Commanders received Jim Braxton. The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Buffalo Bills graded C+ and Washington Commanders graded C+. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and traceable football value, while leaving unresolved downstream pick identities out of the judgment.

Buffalo acquired veteran cornerback Lemar Parrish from Washington for a fifth-round pick. Parrish arrived with an accomplished career and gave the Bills an experienced secondary option, but the transaction came late in his playing years. The approved hindsight evaluation gives Buffalo a C+ grade, recognizing real veteran value without treating the acquisition as more durable than the draft asset sent away.

Buffalo moved up in the 1987 draft and used the acquired fourth-round selection on defensive lineman Leon Seals, who became a multi-year Bills contributor and finished his career with 14.5 sacks. Washington received two later picks, most notably the fifth-round choice used on Timmy Smith. Smith's regular-season career was brief, but his postseason peak helped make the return far more meaningful than his career totals alone suggest.

Buffalo gave Washington pick No. 71 and seventh-rounder No. 217 to move up two spots for receiver T.J. Graham at No. 69. Graham started 17 games across two Bills seasons but finished that stint with only 54 catches for 683 yards and three touchdowns. Washington selected guard Josh LeRibeus and safety Jordan Bernstine. LeRibeus supplied reserve-line value, while Bernstine's career was derailed immediately by injury, leaving neither side with a major return.

Buffalo sent two fourth-round picks to Washington to move up for tight end Dawson Knox at No. 96. Knox became a long-term starter in the Bills' Josh Allen offense and earned a multiyear extension after developing into a reliable receiving and red-zone option. Washington selected Bryce Love and Wes Martin, but neither produced comparable sustained value for the franchise.

Buffalo moved down in the 2023 fifth round and came away with No. 150 Justin Shorter plus No. 215. Shorter spent his rookie year on injured reserve and did not become an immediate Bills regular, but the additional sixth-round asset preserved value and was moved again. The two-piece return offsets Washington's quicker on-field contribution enough to keep Buffalo near even.