Buffalo purchased linebacker Harry Jacobs from the Boston…

The Exchange

Buffalo acquired linebacker Harry Jacobs from the Boston Patriots in 1963 for cash. Patriots historical material says Jacobs was sold to Buffalo, and contemporary-derived accounts place the transaction on July 19 rather than the January 1 date currently shown. His subsequent Buffalo career makes the football value unusually clear.

Buffalo Bills Return

Buffalo purchased linebacker Harry Jacobs from the Boston Patriots in 1963, with historical evidence placing the sale on July 19 rather than January 1. Jacobs then played seven seasons for the Bills and contributed to their 1964 and 1965 AFL championship teams. That long-term return makes Buffalo the decisive winner, graded A- to D+.

Boston/New England Patriots Return

Boston received cash for Harry Jacobs in 1963, but the undisclosed payment pales against the career Jacobs built in Buffalo. He became a multi-year Bills starter and part of two AFL championship teams. With no evidence that the cash return approached that football value, the Patriots take the weak side of a clear Buffalo victory.

Value in Hindsight

The outcome gap is far wider than in most cash sales from this era. Buffalo obtained seven seasons of service and a core defensive contributor during its championship years. Boston received an unquantified payment and lost that future value. The Bills therefore warrant the strongest grade in this wave among the minor historical transactions.

Final Verdict

The final call is Buffalo Bills Win. Buffalo Bills receives a A- grade and New England Patriots receives a D+ grade. The separation reflects documented post-transaction value rather than the reputation of either player before the move, and the grades stay proportional to the limited scale of the exchange. That standard keeps a minor historical transaction from being graded like a franchise-changing blockbuster.