Washington acquired running back Harold Hart from New England… #1
Washington acquired running back Harold Hart from New England on August 22, 1977 in a conditional-pick exchange. Hart did not make Washington's regular-season roster, triggering New England's 1979 No. 300 pick to Washington, which the club used on receiver Tony Hall.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1979 seventh-round pick (#177-Judson Flint)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Harold Hart (did not make Washington regular-season roster)
- pick 1979 eleventh-round pick (#300-Tony Hall), triggered when Hart did not make Washington roster
Trade Analysis
The Conditional Structure
New England's official trade history records Harold Hart going to Washington on August 22, 1977 for a conditional draft choice. The 1979 draft transaction ledger resolves both sides: Washington's conditional pick became No. 177, while New England owed Washington No. 300 if Hart failed to make the Redskins roster.
Washington Outcome
Contemporary Washington Post coverage had Hart fighting for a final running-back spot days after the trade. He did not appear in a Washington regular-season game; his only 1977 NFL appearance came later with the Giants. Because Hart failed to make Washington's roster, the No. 300 condition triggered. Washington used that 11th-round choice on Knoxville receiver Tony Hall, who never appeared in an NFL regular-season game.
New England Outcome
The Patriots used Washington's No. 177 selection on Memphis defensive back Judson Flint. Patriots draft records confirm the pick came from Washington. Pro Football Archives records Flint spending 1979 on New England injured reserve and being released before the 1980 season, so he never produced a Patriots regular-season appearance.
Hindsight Comparison
Washington received no game value from Hart or Hall. New England received no game value from Flint. Flint later played 39 NFL games for Cleveland and Buffalo, but only after New England released him, so that later career is not Patriots trade value.
Final Verdict
Even Trade, C to C. The conditions are now resolved rather than unknown, but neither club converted the exchange into a regular-season contributor for its own roster.