Philadelphia traded guard Dick Hart to the New York Jets on…
Philadelphia traded guard Dick Hart to the New York Jets on August 1, 1972, for a future draft choice whose exact selection is not securely traced. Hart did not play a regular-season game for the Jets and later appeared for Buffalo that year. Philadelphia's downstream pick value remains uncertain, but New York received no regular-season return from the acquired player.
New York Jets Received
- player Dick Hart
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick future draft choice (selection not identified)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Philadelphia sent guard Dick Hart to the New York Jets on August 1, 1972, for a future draft choice. Contemporary reports describe the compensation at that level without providing a securely traceable round and player. Hart had prior starting experience, so the Jets were taking a reasonable late-summer chance on offensive-line depth while Philadelphia chose to convert the veteran into future capital.
Philadelphia's Return
The Eagles received a future selection, but the exact draft slot has not been firmly connected to this trade. That prevents a high grade because there is no demonstrated downstream player to count. Philadelphia still accomplished the basic value goal of moving a veteran it no longer needed for an asset rather than losing him without compensation. The subsequent player movement makes that modest return look sensible.
New York's Return
Hart did not appear in a regular-season game for the Jets. By the 1972 season he was with Buffalo, where he played five games and started three. Whatever New York hoped to gain from his experience on the line never materialized in regular-season service. The Jets therefore paid future consideration for a player who did not survive long enough with the club to make the statistical record.
Value in Hindsight
The missing pick identity limits how strongly Philadelphia can be rewarded, but New York's zero game return supplies a useful floor for the comparison. The Eagles received some future draft value, while the Jets received no regular-season snaps from Hart. His ability to start games for Buffalo later in the year also shows that the player still had some utility, just not for the team that traded for him.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win. Philadelphia earns a C+ for obtaining a future choice from a veteran who did not remain in New York. The Jets receive a D+ because Hart never played a regular-season game for them. The untraced selection prevents a larger Eagles grade, but the realized football return still favors Philadelphia.