Buffalo acquired defensive back Tom Janik from Denver for the…
Buffalo acquired defensive back Tom Janik from Denver for the 1966 AFL seventh-round pick used on Scotty Glacken. Janik became a major Bills playmaker, including double-digit interception production across the next two seasons, while Glacken supplied Denver only limited service. Buffalo turned a late-round cost into high-end defensive value and earns the strongest grade in this wave.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Tom Janik
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 1966 seventh round pick (#62-Scotty Glacken)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Buffalo acquired Tom Janik from Denver on September 20, 1965, sending the Broncos a 1966 AFL seventh-round pick that became Scotty Glacken at No. 62. The draft transaction ledger directly ties the player and selection together, allowing the deal to be judged by the sharply different careers that followed.
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo acquired defensive back Tom Janik from Denver for the 1966 AFL seventh-round pick used on Scotty Glacken. Janik became a major Bills playmaker, including double-digit interception production across the next two seasons, while Glacken supplied Denver only limited service. Buffalo turned a late-round cost into high-end defensive value and earns the strongest grade in this wave.
Denver Broncos Return
Denver sent Tom Janik to Buffalo and received the 1966 AFL seventh-round selection used on Scotty Glacken. The Broncos got only limited value from the pick, while Janik became an impact defender for Buffalo and produced double-digit interceptions across the following two seasons. In hindsight, Denver gave away far more football value than it received.
Value in Hindsight
This is the clearest value separation in the group. Late-round picks are inherently uncertain, while proven defensive production is difficult to replace. Buffalo acquired a player who became an important part of its defense almost immediately, and the interception totals show that the benefit was not merely roster occupancy. Denver's return was real but modest, making the opportunity cost obvious in hindsight. The trade should not be judged solely by Janik's name recognition; it should be judged by the concrete production that followed. On that basis, Buffalo converted a small price into impact play, while Denver failed to turn the pick into comparable value.
Final Verdict
Buffalo earns an A- and the decisive win. Denver's C- acknowledges that it received and used a legitimate draft choice, but Janik's impact made the Bills' return overwhelmingly stronger. This was a major value win relative to the modest acquisition cost.