Green Bay acquired Ahman Green and Seattle's fifth-round pick…

Green Bay bought low on a young running back whom Seattle had never fully trusted. Ahman Green had shown explosiveness behind Ricky Watters but carried only 61 times across his first two seasons and had been criticized for fumbling. The Packers sent cornerback Fred Vinson and a sixth-round pick to Seattle for Green and the Seahawks' fifth-round selection. It was a modest price even before considering that Green Bay actually moved up a round in the accompanying pick exchange.

Green immediately changed the Packers' offense. He rushed for 1,175 yards in his first Green Bay season, then made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2001 through 2004. His peak came in 2003, when he ran for 1,883 yards and 15 touchdowns. Across his Packers career he accumulated more than 8,000 rushing yards and became the franchise's career rushing leader. He supplied elite production, durability and receiving value during the middle of Brett Favre's career.

Seattle received almost nothing comparable. Vinson never played a regular-season game for the Seahawks. The sixth-round pick became defensive back Tim Watson, whose NFL career was brief. Green Bay's acquired fifth-round selection became Joey Jamison, who did not provide meaningful NFL production, but the draft-pick exchange is almost irrelevant beside Green's impact.

The Seahawks had a logical roster reason for considering a move because Watters was established and Green had not earned a major role. The failure was valuation. Seattle surrendered a 23-year-old back with obvious physical talent for a player who never suited up for the club and a one-round draft improvement in the wrong direction. Green Bay accepted the ball-security risk and was rewarded with one of the best running backs in franchise history. Few trades offer a cleaner contrast between a low acquisition cost and sustained elite production. The Packers earn the highest grade, while Seattle's return supports a failing mark.