New England Patriots–Washington Commanders Trade History

New England Patriots received 1973 ninth round pick (Baltimore) from Washington Commanders. New England received Baltimore's 1973 ninth-round choice, retaining future draft value even though the exact later player assignment is not secure enough to attribute here. That realized return supports a B- grade for New England Patriots. The final verdict is New England Patriots Win, based on the regular-season service and draft value each club actually received after the exchange.

New England Patriots received Mel Lunsford, while Washington Commanders received 1974 fifth round pick (undisclosed). Mel Lunsford became a long-term New England defensive lineman, playing 92 games with 74 starts for the Patriots through 1980. Washington received a 1974 fifth-round choice, but the documented return does not approach the sustained starting service New England extracted from Lunsford. That outcome supports a A- grade for New England Patriots, a C- for Washington Commanders, and a New England Patriots Win verdict.

New England Patriots received Charlie Richards in the 1973-08-29 exchange with Washington, giving up 1974 ninth round pick (#218-Mark Sens). New England acquired running back Charlie Richards for a ninth-round draft choice. That return supports a B grade for New England Patriots. The final verdict is New England Patriots Win, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Washington acquired linebacker Brad Dusek and a 1974 third-round pick from New England for Donnel Smith and a 1974 seventh-round pick. Dusek became an eight-season Washington fixture, while the third-round choice retained additional trade value. New England's seventh-rounder became Maury Damkroger, whose Patriots career lasted 13 games, creating a clear Washington advantage.

New England Patriots received 1975 twelfth round pick (#306-Conredge Holloway). New England received the 1975 twelfth-round choice used at No. 306 on Conredge Holloway. Holloway did not play in the NFL, so the Patriots did not realize meaningful professional production from the selection. The draft asset had some theoretical value, but the actual football outcome was minimal. The balanced outcome supports a C grade for New England Patriots.

Washington acquired running back Harold Hart from New England on August 22, 1977 in a conditional-pick transaction. Hart was waived eight days later without playing a regular-season game for Washington; the resulting Patriots-to-Washington conditional pick became No. 300 in 1979, used on Tony Hall, who also failed to make the regular-season roster.

Washington acquired running back Harold Hart from New England on August 22, 1977 in a conditional-pick exchange. Hart did not make Washington's regular-season roster, triggering New England's 1979 No. 300 pick to Washington, which the club used on receiver Tony Hall.

Washington swapped young quarterback Tom Flick for veteran Tom Owen during the 1982 preseason, seeking experienced depth behind Joe Theismann. Owen filled that reserve role on the eventual Super Bowl champion, while Flick appeared in three games for New England and went 0-for-5 passing. Neither quarterback generated major statistical value, but Washington received the clearer roster fit and more useful insurance at the position.

New England Patriots received 1984 ninth round pick (#251-David Windham), while Washington Commanders received Tony McGee (Eugene). Washington's September 1982 acquisition of Tony McGee for a 1984 ninth-round choice is supported by contemporary reporting and the draft history. That return earns a D grade for New England Patriots, and the overall verdict is Washington Commanders Win.

New England Patriots received 1985 seventh round pick (#192-Nick Haden), while Washington Commanders received Ricky Smith (b). The September 11, 1984 Ricky Smith trade and the resulting 1985 seventh-round No. 192, used on Nick Haden. That return earns a C grade for New England Patriots, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.

New England traded the NFL rights to USFL receiver Ricky Sanders to Washington in August 1986 for Washington’s 1987 third-round pick, No. 81 overall. The Patriots retained useful draft value and later moved the choice in another deal. Washington, however, obtained a receiver who became a major part of its offense, topped 1,100 yards twice and scored 12 touchdowns in 1988.

On 1987-08-20, New England Patriots received undisclosed draft pick (undisclosed), while Washington received Glenn Dennison. The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with New England Patriots graded C and Washington graded C. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

New England Patriots received 1989 fourth round pick (#96-Maurice Hurst (Sr.) (Roy)). New England received the 1989 fourth-round choice used on Maurice Hurst. Hurst became a seven-year Patriots defensive back, appeared in 105 games, and intercepted 27 passes. That sustained production from a mid-round asset created the dominant return in the transaction and comfortably outweighs the value Washington obtained from the 1988 fifth-round selection it received. That result supports a A- grade for New England Patriots.

New England acquired punter Monte Robbins from Washington for a 1990 fourth-round selection that historical records identify as No. 86. The pick later returned to Washington through a separate 1990 draft-day trade and should not be conflated with the Robbins transaction. With neither direct return creating a major durable advantage, the original exchange grades close to even.

New England Patriots received 1990 fifth round pick (#110-Junior Robinson), 1990 fifth round pick (#111-Jeff Davidson) in the 1990-04-22 exchange with Washington. Washington moved two fifth-round choices, Nos. 110 and 111, to New England to obtain the fourth-round slot No. The documented result supports a C+ grade for New England Patriots. The overall verdict is New England Patriots Win, based on realized value rather than hypothetical upside.

Washington sent the 21st pick in the 2002 draft to New England for picks 32, 96 and 234. Washington selected quarterback Patrick Ramsey at No. 32 and later moved No. 96 in another deal, while New England used No. 21 on tight end Daniel Graham. Ramsey showed flashes but never became a long-term starter; Graham became a dependable run-game contributor on championship teams, giving New England a narrow edge.

Washington and New England exchanged third-round positions in March 2003, with Washington receiving picks 81 and 140 for pick 75 and a 2004 fourth-rounder. Washington used No. 81 on Derrick Dockery, who became a durable multi-year starting guard. New England later used pick 75 in its move for Eugene Wilson and traded the 2004 fourth for veteran nose tackle Ted Washington.

Washington sent pick No. 208 to New England for selections No. 229 and No. 231 in the 2010 draft. The Commanders selected Erik Cook and Selvish Capers, while the Patriots used No. 208 on Thomas Welch. None of the three linemen became a durable starter for the club that drafted him, leaving the direct football returns similarly limited.

New England Patriots acquired Albert Haynesworth from Washington for the 2013 fifth-round pick that became No. 162, Brandon Jenkins. Haynesworth's stay in New England was short and unproductive, so the Patriots did not receive the hoped-for rebound from the veteran defensive lineman. Because they surrendered a real draft asset for little return, New England receives a D+.