Atlanta acquired Joe Washington plus the selections that…
Atlanta acquired Joe Washington plus the selections that became Scott Bergold and first-round defensive end Tim Green, while sending Washington the picks that produced Tory Nixon, Markus Koch and Kent Hagood. Joe Washington contributed for one Falcons season, but Green became the most durable Atlanta piece. The combined return gives the Falcons a modest but meaningful edge.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Joe Washington
- pick 1985 second round pick (#51-Scott Bergold)
- pick 1986 first round pick (#17-Tim Green)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1985 second round pick (#33-Tory Nixon)
- pick 1986 second round pick (#30-Markus Koch)
- pick 1986 sixth round pick (#141-Kent Hagood)
Trade Analysis
This was a broad exchange of a veteran running back and draft capital rather than a simple player-for-pick deal. Contemporary reporting on April 30, 1985, described Washington sending Joe Washington to Atlanta as the clubs rearranged second-round positions and future choices. The final package left Atlanta with Washington, the No. 51 pick in 1985 and a 1986 first-rounder, while Washington received the No. 33 pick in 1985 plus second- and sixth-round choices in 1986.
Joe Washington supplied only one season to Atlanta, rushing for 210 yards and adding 328 receiving yards in 1985. The more important Falcons value came from the future first-rounder, which became defensive end Tim Green. Green played 99 games for Atlanta and recorded 25 sacks, giving the Falcons a multi-year starter from the transaction. Scott Bergold added less, but the combined package still produced useful depth and longevity.
Washington's side also deserves credit. Markus Koch, selected with the 1986 second-round choice, played 68 games for the franchise and recorded 10.5 sacks. That result alone prevents this from being a one-sided trade. Tory Nixon and Kent Hagood did not create comparable long-term value, however, and Washington had already moved on from Joe Washington after his productive earlier years with the club.
The grades reflect two teams that both found legitimate NFL contributors. Atlanta gets the higher mark because Green's career plus the veteran season from Joe Washington outweighed Koch and the rest of Washington's return. The margin is meaningful but not overwhelming, making Atlanta the winner without treating Washington's side as a failure.