Atlanta acquired veteran running back Oscar Reed from…

The Exchange

Minnesota traded running back Oscar Reed to Atlanta on September 9, 1975, for the Falcons’ 1976 fifth-round draft choice. Vikings history and draft-transaction records identify the selection as No. 133, defensive back Steve Wagner. The package is straightforward, and the later career paths show why the outcome remained modest for both clubs.

What Atlanta Received

Reed had previously been a productive Vikings back, including a 639-yard rushing season in 1972. His Atlanta contribution was far smaller. He appeared in seven games in 1975, carried 14 times for 40 yards, caught two passes, and did not score a touchdown. That was the end of his NFL career. Atlanta therefore received only brief depth from the veteran acquisition.

What Minnesota Received

The Vikings used the acquired fifth-round pick on Wagner. He had an NFL career of 61 games, but Minnesota did not receive that production. Pro Football Archives records that the Vikings released him on September 6, 1976, before the regular season. Wagner then signed with Green Bay and spent four seasons there before a final year in Philadelphia. Minnesota converted Reed into a prospect but did not benefit from his later career.

Why Neither Side Won

Atlanta’s player return lasted seven games, while Minnesota’s drafted player never appeared in a regular-season game for the Vikings. Wagner’s later durability cannot be credited to Minnesota because another franchise developed and used him. Both organizations made reasonable low-cost bets, but neither realized meaningful lasting production.

Final Verdict

Both teams receive D+ grades. Reed gave Atlanta a small amount of short-term work, and Minnesota created a fifth-round opportunity that did not stick on its roster. The direct value was limited on both sides, making the trade even.