Denver and Boston exchanged premium 1964 AFL draft position…

Why the Trade Happened

Denver and Boston exchanged premium 1964 AFL draft position on November 1, 1963. Boston received the No. 1 overall choice, while Denver received the No. 4 choice, the No. 20 third-round choice and a player to be named later. The exchange made sense as a roster decision for both clubs at the time: Denver Broncos received 1964 first round pick (#4-Bob Brown); 1964 third round pick (#20-Matt Snorton); future player consideration (identity not specified in source record), while Boston Patriots received 1964 first round pick (#1-Jack Concannon). The historical terms are stated at the level the surviving team and transaction records support, without attaching an uncertain draft choice to a named player when that link is not secure.

What Denver Broncos Received

Denver used the acquired selections on Bob Brown and Matt Snorton. The rights carried real draft value, but neither choice became a major Broncos star, limiting the practical return from moving out of the top slot. For Denver Broncos, the grade weighs the immediate role of the acquired asset, how long it remained useful, and whether any draft capital created a later roster return. That keeps the evaluation centered on football value rather than the reputation of the names involved.

What Boston Patriots Received

Boston used the first overall selection on quarterback Jack Concannon. He chose the NFL route instead of becoming a Patriots cornerstone, which sharply reduced the payoff Boston expected from paying to move up. For Boston Patriots, the same standard applies: games played, starting value, later movement, and the practical quality of any selection received. A late pick is not treated like a premium asset, and a veteran who never reached the regular season does not receive credit for value that never materialized.

Final Verdict

The trade remains near even because both clubs acquired valuable rights without turning them into a franchise-changing AFL return. Denver got more pieces, while Boston got the premier selection. The ultimate on-field payoff was limited on both sides. The final grades are Denver Broncos C+ and Boston Patriots C+. The verdict is based on the strongest supportable description of the transaction and the career value that followed. That produces a complete historical judgment while keeping the package faithful to what the available football records can actually establish.