St. Louis received an undisclosed 1969 draft pick for Charlie…
St. Louis received an undisclosed 1969 draft pick for Charlie Bryant. The exact downstream selection remains unresolved, so the Cardinals retain credit for receiving future draft capital without assigning unsupported player value to it. Atlanta's documented production from Bryant gives the Falcons a slight edge, but uncertainty around the pick keeps the gap modest.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1969 draft pick (selection not identified)
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Charlie Bryant
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On September 3, 1968, St. Louis sent Charlie Bryant to Atlanta for an undisclosed 1969 draft pick. The player side of the exchange is identifiable, while the exact later identity of the Cardinals' selection remains uncertain. That uncertainty does not erase St. Louis' consideration, but it means the comparison should emphasize Bryant's documented Falcons service without inventing a downstream player.
Arizona Cardinals Return
The Cardinals received a future 1969 draft choice, giving St. Louis real roster-building flexibility. Because the exact selection has not been firmly identified, it would be inappropriate to assign a specific later player or career to this transaction. A C grade preserves credit for obtaining draft capital while acknowledging that the eventual direct football payoff cannot be measured as confidently as Atlanta's player return.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Bryant appeared in 16 games for Atlanta across the 1968 and 1969 seasons and contributed as a runner and kickoff returner. That is modest production, but it is concrete production. The Falcons acquired a player who reached the field in multiple roles and remained around for portions of two seasons, giving Atlanta a visible benefit from the trade.
Value in Hindsight
Atlanta has the clearer side because Bryant's service can be measured directly. St. Louis still deserves credit for receiving a future pick, and the unresolved identity of that choice is not evidence that it had no value. The proper conclusion is therefore a narrow Falcons advantage rather than a decisive win based on assumptions about what the Cardinals' pick became.
Final Verdict
St. Louis receives a C and Atlanta receives a C+. The Falcons win narrowly because Bryant supplied 16 games and multi-role production, while the Cardinals' future pick remains legitimate but not precisely traceable to a documented downstream result.