Atlanta Falcons received George Patton from Washington…

The Exchange

On 1968-01-31, Atlanta sent the 1968 fifth-round choice that became Ken Barefoot to Washington for George Patton. Both players reached the NFL, but neither became a long-term centerpiece for the acquiring club. The comparison centers on what each club actually received after the transaction, including regular-season service and draft outcomes that can be tied directly to the exchanged assets. That approach keeps a small historical deal proportional to the value it ultimately created.

Atlanta Falcons Return

Atlanta Falcons received George Patton from Washington Commanders. Patton supplied Atlanta with one NFL season of service, giving the Falcons a modest but tangible return from the exchange. The C+ grade reflects the direct value Atlanta Falcons realized from the transaction, with the final Atlanta Falcons Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.

Washington Return

Washington Commanders received 1968 fifth round pick (#113-Ken Barefoot) from Atlanta Falcons. Barefoot appeared in eight games for Washington before being moved again, producing a shorter and less complete direct return. The C- grade reflects the direct value Washington Commanders realized from the transaction, with the final Atlanta Falcons Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.

Value in Hindsight

Neither side found a major contributor, so the difference should stay modest. Patton's fuller season with Atlanta outweighs Barefoot's brief Washington tenure, but the deal does not support a large grade gap. The grade gap stays limited when both sides received something useful and widens only when the documented returns clearly separated. This keeps the evaluation tied to the transaction itself instead of later reputation.

Final Verdict

The final call is Atlanta Falcons Win. Atlanta Falcons earns C+, and Washington Commanders earns C-. Atlanta earns the narrow win because Patton supplied slightly more direct service than Washington received from Barefoot. Those grades reflect the package each club received, the service that followed, and the downstream value that can be connected confidently to the original exchange.