San Francisco sent running back Vic Washington to Houston on…
San Francisco sent running back Vic Washington to Houston on August 15, 1974 for the Oilers' 1976 first-round choice and 1977 third-round choice. Washington played 12 games with five starts for Houston in 1974 and was released the following September. The 49ers' acquired capital became defensive back Tim Fox at No. 21 in 1976 and Elmo Boyd at No. 65 in 1977, giving San Francisco two chances from a player who supplied Houston only a short stay. That balance of realized value gives the edge to San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 1976 first round pick (#21-Tim Fox)
- pick 1977 third round pick (#65-Elmo Boyd)
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Vic Washington
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
San Francisco sent running back Vic Washington to Houston on August 15, 1974 for the Oilers' 1976 first-round choice and 1977 third-round choice. The exchange fit a common 1970s roster calculation: one club preferred an established player or immediate help, while the other accepted draft capital or a different asset path. The important hindsight question is not the nominal round alone, but what each team actually received once the move played out.
What San Francisco 49ers Received
Washington played 12 games with five starts for Houston in 1974 and was released the following September. For San Francisco 49ers, that outcome is the main measure of the return. Immediate playing time matters, but so do durability, starts, scoring, and whether the acquired asset remained useful beyond a short stop. The result gives San Francisco 49ers a B+ because the club's realized contribution must be judged against what it surrendered.
What Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans Received
The 49ers' acquired capital became defensive back Tim Fox at No. 21 in 1976 and Elmo Boyd at No. 65 in 1977, giving San Francisco two chances from a player who supplied Houston only a short stay. That gives Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans a different value profile from the other side. A draft choice only becomes valuable when it turns into useful football production, while a veteran's value depends on how much he actually contributes after the trade. On that basis, Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans earns a C-.
Why the Verdict Lands Here
The scale and longevity of the draft return make San Francisco the clear winner. The comparison therefore rests on direct, realized NFL value rather than the theoretical price of the assets on the day of the deal. Longevity and meaningful contribution carry more weight than a pick number by itself, and a short stay can still matter when the opposing return produces even less.
Final Verdict
San Francisco 49ers Win. San Francisco 49ers receives a B+, while Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans receives a C-. The grades reflect the confirmed package and the football contribution that followed for each franchise.