Washington acquired veteran Jim Martin from Baltimore on…
Washington acquired veteran Jim Martin from Baltimore on September 8, 1964, sending the Colts a 1965 20th-round choice that became No. 273 Ray Johnson. Martin handled Washington's kicking duties for all 14 games in 1964 and scored 71 points, while Johnson never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The return was short-lived but clearly tangible, supporting Washington's existing win with conservative grades.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1965 20th round pick (#273-Ray Johnson (b))
Washington Commanders Received
- player Jim Martin
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Baltimore traded veteran Jim Martin to Washington on September 8, 1964, for a 1965 20th-round draft choice. Colts historical material records the exchange directly, and the 1965 draft trail identifies the acquired selection as No. 273 Ray Johnson. The compensation was extremely late in the draft, so expectations for Baltimore's return should remain modest. Still, the actual outcomes provide a clear difference between the two sides.
What Washington Commanders Got
Martin immediately became Washington's kicker for the 1964 season. He played all 14 games, converted 12 of 28 field-goal attempts and 35 of 39 extra-point attempts, and scored 71 points. His field-goal percentage was low by modern standards, but the important trade value is that Washington acquired a player who filled a specialist role for a full season and generated real scoring production. His Washington tenure lasted only that year, which keeps the grade from rising too high.
What Indianapolis Colts Got
Baltimore used the acquired 20th-round choice on Ray Johnson, a center from Prairie View A&M, at No. 273 in the 1965 draft. Pro Football Reference lists Johnson in the Colts' draft class but credits him with no NFL regular-season games. The selection therefore produced no field value for Baltimore. Because it was a 20th-round pick, the failure to land a contributor was not especially costly, but it did leave the Colts without a tangible return.
Final Verdict
Washington Redskins/Commanders Win remains the proper verdict. Washington received a full season and 71 points from Martin, while Baltimore's draft selection never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Washington earns a C+ because Martin was useful but only briefly; Indianapolis receives a C- because the acquired pick produced nothing on the field. The grade spread stays restrained to match the small scale of the transaction, while still recognizing that Washington obtained the only meaningful football value created by the deal.