Tampa Bay Buccaneers received 1987 fifth round pick…

The Exchange

On 1986-08-11, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders completed a deal in which Tampa Bay Buccaneers received 1987 fifth round pick (#137-Tony Mayes), while Washington Commanders received rights to Doug Williams. The comparison focuses on what each original club actually obtained from the exchange. Later asset movement matters only when it clarifies the value attached to something that changed hands.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return

Tampa Bay Buccaneers received 1987 fifth round pick (#137-Tony Mayes) from Washington Commanders, sending rights to Doug Williams the other way. The current '(Lee)' suffix is unsupported and should be removed. That outcome supports a D grade for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the overall verdict is Washington Commanders Win.

Washington Return

Washington Commanders received rights to Doug Williams from Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sending 1987 fifth round pick (#137-Tony Mayes) the other way. The current '(Lee)' suffix is unsupported and should be removed. That outcome supports a A grade for Washington Commanders, and the overall verdict is Washington Commanders Win.

Value in Hindsight

Washington acquired Tampa Bay's NFL rights to Doug Williams in August 1986 for a conditional 1987 fifth-round selection, which became No. 137 Tony Mayes. Williams later led Washington to a Super Bowl XXII victory and earned game MVP honors, while Mayes never played for Tampa Bay. The current '(Lee)' suffix is unsupported and should be removed. If a draft choice was moved again, the later trail can explain what the original consideration became, but unrelated success after another transaction is not credited twice. Where one historical detail remains uncertain, the evaluation uses the strongest supported description instead of filling the gap with speculation.

Final Verdict

The final call is Washington Commanders Win. Tampa Bay Buccaneers receives D, while Washington Commanders receives A. The verdict follows the stronger supported direct return for the original club rather than unrelated value created later. The grades remain proportional to the size and certainty of the exchange, rewarding real value while keeping a measured distinction between a clear edge and an overwhelming win.