St. Louis acquired defensive back Carl Allen from Cincinnati…
St. Louis acquired defensive back Carl Allen from Cincinnati for a future eleventh-round pick, which the Bengals used at No. 293 on Calvin Prince. Allen became a long-term Cardinals starter, appearing in 79 games with 57 starts and 16 interceptions from 1977 through 1982. That sustained secondary value makes the Cardinals the clear winner.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Carl Allen (b)
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 1978 eleventh round pick (#293-Calvin Prince / Cal Prince)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Cincinnati traded defensive back Carl Allen to St. Louis on August 30, 1977 for a future eleventh-round selection. Bengals records identify that choice as No. 293 in the 1978 draft, where Cincinnati selected Calvin Prince. That official numbering corrects the older No. 292 notation attached to the trade.
What Arizona Cardinals Received
The Cardinals received the centerpiece of the deal. Allen immediately became a meaningful part of the secondary and remained with the franchise through 1982. NFL and Pro Football Reference records credit him with 79 Cardinals games, 57 starts, and 16 interceptions during that six-season run.
What Cincinnati Bengals Received
Cincinnati received only the late draft choice. The Bengals used it on Prince, but the selection did not yield anything close to Allen's multi-year starting value. The trade therefore became a classic veteran-for-late-pick exchange in which the veteran substantially outperformed the draft return.
How the Value Developed
Allen's durability separates the sides. He was not merely a short-term roster piece; he started dozens of games and created turnovers across multiple seasons. Cincinnati's eleventh-round chance never developed into a comparable contributor.
Why the Difference Matters
Late-round picks carry limited acquisition cost, so St. Louis did not need a star-level outcome to justify the move. Receiving six seasons and 57 starts for an eleventh-rounder easily cleared that bar, while Cincinnati received almost no direct football return.
Final Verdict
The Cardinals receive a B+ and Cincinnati receives a D. The final call is Arizona Cardinals Win because Allen supplied years of starting value for a very small draft cost.