On 1971-09-08, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs…
On 1971-09-08, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs completed a deal that sent Frank Pitts to Cleveland Browns and 1972 fourth round pick (#97-Andy Hamilton), 1973 third round pick (#72-Paul Krause (b)) to Kansas City Chiefs. Pitts became a productive Cleveland starter, including 620 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 1972. Kansas City's resulting draft assets did not match that immediate multi-season production, making Cleveland the stronger realized return. That realized value supports a Cleveland Browns Win verdict, with Cleveland Browns graded B+ and Kansas City Chiefs graded C.
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Frank Pitts
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 1972 fourth round pick (#97-Andy Hamilton)
- pick 1973 third round pick (#72-Paul Krause (b))
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Kansas City received Cleveland's 1972 fourth-round and 1973 third-round choices for veteran receiver Frank Pitts. Chiefs and Browns historical materials independently confirm the two-pick package. 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 Cleveland Browns Received
Cleveland Browns came away with Frank Pitts. Pitts became a productive Cleveland starter, including 620 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 1972. Kansas City's resulting draft assets did not match that immediate multi-season production, making Cleveland the stronger realized return. The grade reflects both the quality of that return and how directly it benefited the franchise.
What Kansas City Chiefs Received
Kansas City Chiefs received 1972 fourth round pick (#97-Andy Hamilton), 1973 third round pick (#72-Paul Krause (b)). 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
Pitts became a productive Cleveland starter, including 620 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 1972. Kansas City's resulting draft assets did not match that immediate multi-season production, making Cleveland the stronger realized return. 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 Cleveland Browns Win. Cleveland Browns earns a B+ and Kansas City Chiefs earns a C. Flips to Cleveland because Pitts produced three useful Browns seasons while the picks yielded limited Chiefs value. 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.