On 1970-10-26, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets completed…
On 1970-10-26, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets completed a deal that sent 1971 fifth round pick (#110-Arthur May / Art May) to Cincinnati Bengals and Dave Middendorf to New York Jets. Middendorf provided only a short Jets stint, while May never made Cincinnati's regular-season roster. One side received brief veteran depth and the other a pick that did not become an NFL contributor, producing almost no lasting separation. That realized value supports a Even Trade verdict, with Cincinnati Bengals graded C and New York Jets graded C.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 1971 fifth round pick (#110-Arthur May / Art May)
New York Jets Received
- player Dave Middendorf
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Cincinnati sent guard Dave Middendorf to the Jets for a future choice that became the 110th overall pick in 1971. Bengals historical material identifies that selection as Arthur May. The original transaction matters because later pick movement can blur what each club actually received. This version keeps the identified assets attached to the correct side.
What Cincinnati Bengals Received
Cincinnati Bengals came away with 1971 fifth round pick (#110-Arthur May / Art May). Middendorf provided only a short Jets stint, while May never made Cincinnati's regular-season roster. One side received brief veteran depth and the other a pick that did not become an NFL contributor, producing almost no lasting separation. The grade reflects both the quality of that return and how directly it benefited the franchise.
What New York Jets Received
New York Jets received Dave Middendorf. The comparison is not based only on the apparent value of the package on trade day. It weighs what those assets became, how long the player contribution lasted, whether a draft choice produced usable service, and whether either side quickly moved on without meaningful return.
How the Value Aged
Middendorf provided only a short Jets stint, while May never made Cincinnati's regular-season roster. One side received brief veteran depth and the other a pick that did not become an NFL contributor, producing almost no lasting separation. That is the key separator in the hindsight grade. The transaction can still have made sense for both clubs at the time, especially when veterans, roster needs and future choices were valued differently than they are today. The verdict instead measures the football value each franchise ultimately captured from the assets received in this specific exchange.
Final Verdict
The best hindsight result is Even Trade. Cincinnati Bengals earns a C and New York Jets earns a C. Changes the round label to the official Bengals account’s fourth round / No. 110 and moves the result to Even. The grade spread stays proportional to the actual impact: a clear but modest advantage remains modest, while a long-term starter or star compared with little return creates a wider separation.