Green Bay obtained tackle Tim Stokes from Washington for the…
Green Bay obtained tackle Tim Stokes from Washington for the 1979 fourth-round pick that became Don Warren. Stokes was a useful Packers starter, appearing in 63 games with 39 starts. Washington nevertheless landed the larger return: Warren played 14 seasons for the franchise, appearing in 193 games and starting 181. Both sides gained value, but Washington gained a cornerstone.
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Tim Stokes
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1979 fourth round pick (#103-Don Warren)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 4, 1978, Green Bay acquired offensive tackle Tim Stokes from Washington and sent a 1979 fourth-round selection in return. Draft-transaction records trace that pick to No. 103, which Washington used on tight end Don Warren. The player and pick lineage is well documented.
Green Bay Packers Return
Stokes was not a throwaway veteran. He immediately started all 16 games at left tackle in 1978, started four more in 1979 and 15 in 1980, then returned for additional Packers duty in 1981 and 1982. His Green Bay total reached 63 games and 39 starts. For a fourth-round pick, that is a solid direct football return and explains why the Packers should still grade positively.
Washington Commanders Return
Washington turned the pick into Don Warren, who became a remarkable long-term fixture. Warren played for Washington from 1979 through 1992, appearing in 193 games and starting 181. He caught 244 passes for 2,536 yards and seven touchdowns while serving for years as a dependable two-way tight end. The duration and starting volume dwarf the normal return from a fourth-round selection.
Value in Hindsight
This is a productive trade on both sides, but the scale is different. Green Bay bought several seasons of starting tackle play; Washington landed a 14-year contributor who occupied a starting role for most of his career. Warren's 181 starts are enough to create clear separation without pretending Stokes was a poor acquisition.
Final Verdict
Washington wins. The Commanders earn an A- for converting Stokes into a fourth-round pick that became an exceptionally durable starter. Green Bay earns a B because Stokes himself delivered 63 games and 39 starts, making this one of the stronger losing returns in the wave.