Tennessee Titans–Washington Commanders Trade History

The Houston franchise received veteran defensive back Al Haymond from Washington. The available career and transaction record does not establish a large long-term advantage from Haymond's side of the exchange, particularly when compared with Washington's fifth-round selection. The C grade reflects a legitimate veteran return but not enough sustained separation to move the deal away from an Even Trade conclusion.

Washington acquired Hall of Fame safety Ken Houston from the Houston Oilers in 1973 for five veterans: Jim Snowden, Mack Alston, Clifton McNeil, Mike Fanucci and Jeff Severson. Houston immediately became a cornerstone of George Allen’s defense and continued a remarkable run of Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition.

Washington acquired veteran tight end Alvin Reed from Houston on May 28, 1973 for a future draft choice whose exact 1974 round and pick cannot be established from the surviving record. Reed played 33 games for Washington over three seasons, starting five in 1973 and totaling 15 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns. He supplied real but limited depth before his 1976 release.

Houston received the rights to running back Duane Thomas. Thomas had been a productive NFL player earlier in his career, but those rights did not produce meaningful Oilers regular-season value. He later attempted comebacks with other clubs instead. With no durable Houston contribution emerging from the acquired rights, the Oilers' side of the exchange finished below neutral.

Washington acquired veteran guard Ron Saul from Houston for three future draft choices, one each in the seventh round of 1977, sixth round of 1978, and third round of 1979. Saul became a durable Washington starter, appearing in 81 games with 77 starts over six seasons. That sustained line value outweighed Houston’s diffuse return from the future-pick package.

Washington acquired the 1984 fourth-round pick at No. 102 from Houston and used it on running back Jimmy Smith, sending the Oilers a 1985 third-round choice that became No. 80. Smith appeared in only one game for Washington and produced two kickoff returns before being released. Houston secured the stronger draft asset, giving the Oilers the clear edge.

Houston acquired kicker Tony Zendejas, who became a productive multi-season specialist for the Oilers. His sustained scoring contribution gave the franchise the clearest realized value in the deal and outweighed the future fifth-round asset that moved to Washington. That outcome supports a B grade for Tennessee Titans within the final Houston Oilers Win verdict.

Washington acquired veteran tight end Chris Dressel from Houston in June 1987 for an undisclosed 1988 draft choice. Contemporary reports support a future pick but do not support the current conditional, not-exercised wording. Dressel was cut by Washington before the regular season, leaving the Redskins without game value from the acquisition. Houston therefore gets a narrow C+ to D+ win despite the unidentified downstream pick.

Tennessee moved up to No. 103 for William Hayes, who played 48 Titans games, started 12 and recorded eight sacks from 2008-11. Washington got Justin Tryon at No. 124, who played 29 games with two starts, then paired No. 157 with another seventh-rounder to obtain Durant Brooks and Kareem Moore. Moore became the best Washington downstream result with 42 games and 13 starts, but No. 157 was only half of that move. The concrete returns balance at B/B.

Tennessee traded up eight spots in the sixth round for quarterback Zach Mettenberger, sending Washington picks that became Lache Seastrunk and Zach Hocker. Mettenberger never developed into a long-term answer, but he did start 10 games and threw for 2,347 yards as a Titan. Neither Washington selection produced regular-season value for Washington, giving Tennessee the modest but clear hindsight edge.