Houston Oilers

Minnesota acquired Warren Moon for a 1994 fourth-round pick and a 1995 third-round pick. Moon immediately stabilized the offense, threw for major production in Minnesota, and gave the franchise credible veteran quarterback play during the mid-1990s. The cost was real but nowhere close to an F-level loss.

Denver sent All-AFL lineman Bud McFadin and the 1965 No. 2 overall pick — the slot that became Joe Namath — to Houston for a two-year loan of quarterback Jacky Lee. This remains one of the most damaging transactions in early AFL history. Denver rented a short-term quarterback while surrendering a premium draft slot and a proven defensive cornerstone. The lend-lease structure obscured the cost at the time, but Namath's rise into a league-defining star made the trade look catastrophic in hindsight.

Denver acquired Bill Groman from Houston Oilers for "high" draft pick (probably 1964 #9-Charley Taylor); "high" draft pick (probably 1964 #33-John Varnell). Denver paid draft capital for Bill Groman, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Houston Oilers.

Minnesota acquired Warren Moon for a 1994 fourth-round pick and a 1995 third-round pick. Moon immediately stabilized the offense, threw for major production in Minnesota, and gave the franchise credible veteran quarterback play during the mid-1990s. The cost was real but nowhere close to an F-level loss.

Denver sent All-AFL lineman Bud McFadin and the 1965 No. 2 overall pick — the slot that became Joe Namath — to Houston for a two-year loan of quarterback Jacky Lee. This remains one of the most damaging transactions in early AFL history. Denver rented a short-term quarterback while surrendering a premium draft slot and a proven defensive cornerstone. The lend-lease structure obscured the cost at the time, but Namath's rise into a league-defining star made the trade look catastrophic in hindsight.