Atlanta acquired Bucky Pope but never received a…
Atlanta acquired Bucky Pope but never received a regular-season appearance from him; after a later Vikings trade was voided, the Falcons released him before he resurfaced with Green Bay. Los Angeles received 14 games and one start from Jim Wilson, while Bob Sanders was released without appearing for the Rams. Wilson's one season is the only realized value, giving the Rams a modest C-to-D win.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Bucky Pope
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Jim Wilson
- player Bob Sanders
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Atlanta acquired receiver Bucky Pope from the Rams in May 1968 for guard Jim Wilson and linebacker Bob Sanders. The Falcons' 1968 media guide states that package directly. That documentation matters because none of the three players became a long-term post-trade contributor, making the exact transaction and each player's short-term roster outcome the basis for the grade.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta received no regular-season production from Pope. Pro Football Archives records the move to Atlanta, then a proposed August trade to Minnesota that was voided, followed by his release from the Falcons. Pope later joined Green Bay's taxi squad and appeared in three Packers games, but those appearances belong to Green Bay, not Atlanta. His Falcons outcome is therefore zero regular-season games.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles got one season of usable depth from Wilson. Pro Football Reference credits him with all 14 Rams games in 1968 and one start at tackle. It was his final NFL season. Sanders supplied no Rams regular-season value; Pro Football Archives records his May trade to Los Angeles and subsequent release, while his NFL stat line ends with nine Atlanta games in 1967.
Value in Hindsight
This was not a productive trade for either club. Pope never got into a Falcons regular-season game, and Sanders never got into one for the Rams. The only realized post-trade contribution was Wilson's 14-game reserve season and single start. That is too little for a strong Rams grade, but it is enough to separate Los Angeles from Atlanta once the zero-game outcomes are stated explicitly.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles moves to C and Atlanta to D, changing the verdict from Even Trade to Los Angeles Rams Win. The Rams' grade reflects one full season of roster service from Wilson and no contribution from Sanders. Atlanta's D reflects zero Pope games. Later Packers appearances by Pope are excluded because they were not produced for the team that acquired him in this transaction.