Washington acquired veteran receiver Clifton McNeil from the…
Washington acquired veteran receiver Clifton McNeil from the Giants in October 1971 for a package built around 1972 fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round assets. Richmond Flowers was later substituted for the sixth-rounder because Washington did not own that selection. McNeil gave Washington only a short receiving return, while New York collected multiple pieces and useful Flowers snaps, supporting a B to C- Giants win.
New York Giants Received
- pick 1972 fifth round pick (probably #121-Larry Edwards)
- pick 1972 sixth round pick (later replaced with Richmond Flowers because Redskins did not have a 1972 sixth round pick)
- pick 1972 seventh round pick (probably #177-Mike Zikas)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Clifton McNeil
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The October 1971 deal sent Clifton McNeil from New York to Washington. The compensation involved 1972 fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round value, but the sixth-round portion had to be adjusted because Washington did not actually possess that choice. Richmond Flowers was sent to the Giants as the replacement, leaving New York with a multi-piece package for the veteran receiver.
New York Giants Return
New York received more than one avenue for value. Flowers joined the Giants and contributed in the secondary, while the fifth- and seventh-round components gave the club additional draft capital. None of those pieces became a transformational star, but the combined return was substantial enough for a veteran receiver whose best years were already behind him.
Washington Redskins/Commanders Return
Washington acquired a proven receiver who could help immediately. McNeil produced some offense after the trade, so this was not an empty acquisition, but his tenure was brief and the Redskins surrendered several assets to obtain him. The short runway makes the cost look heavier in hindsight than it might have appeared during a contending season.
Value in Hindsight
The Giants win because the aggregate return outlasted the value Washington received from McNeil. The Redskins did get real short-term help, which keeps their grade from collapsing, but three pieces of compensation for a brief receiving contribution is difficult to justify in hindsight. A B for New York and C- for Washington reflects a clear advantage without treating any of the returned assets as a star.
Final Verdict
The final call is New York Giants Win. New York Giants receives a B grade and Washington Redskins/Commanders receives a C- grade. The grades emphasize the assets that actually survived the transaction, the useful NFL production generated after the move, and the price each club paid. The result stays proportional to the size of the deal and does not turn a depth move or late-round asset into a franchise-changing event.