The Cardinals received Ben Preston plus the 1959 No. 52 pick…
The Cardinals received Ben Preston plus the 1959 No. 52 pick used on Ted Bates. Bates supplied one useful season for the club, giving the return some genuine value, but the package did not generate the same sustained production Washington received from Johnny Olszewski. Arizona therefore lands slightly below average rather than failing completely in this historical exchange.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Ben Preston
- pick 1959 draft pick (#52-Ted Bates)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1958-07-15, Arizona Cardinals received Ben Preston; 1959 draft pick (#52-Ted Bates), while Washington Commanders received John Olzewski / John Olszewski / Johnny Olszewski. The grade centers on the football value produced by the consideration each club controlled. Later movement of an acquired pick is treated as provenance, not extra value from the original deal.
Arizona Cardinals Return
The Cardinals received Ben Preston plus the 1959 No. 52 pick used on Ted Bates. Bates supplied one useful season for the club, giving the return some genuine value, but the package did not generate the same sustained production Washington received from Johnny Olszewski. Arizona therefore lands slightly below average rather than failing completely in this historical exchange.
Washington Commanders Return
Washington acquired Johnny Olszewski and immediately received meaningful backfield production. He rushed for 505 yards in 1958, 432 in 1959, and 227 in 1960, scoring six rushing touchdowns across those three seasons. That multi-year contribution gave Washington the larger sustained return and outweighed the Cardinals' shorter benefit from Ted Bates and Ben Preston.
Value in Hindsight
Washington acquired Johnny Olszewski and immediately received meaningful backfield production: 505 rushing yards in 1958, 432 in 1959 and 227 in 1960, with six rushing touchdowns across those three seasons. The Cardinals received Ben Preston plus the 1959 No.52 pick used on Ted Bates. Bates supplied one useful Cardinals season, but Washington received the larger sustained direct contribution from Olszewski. Those outcomes support Washington Commanders Win. The grade spread remains proportional to the size of the deal and the strength of the realized value.
Final Verdict
Arizona Cardinals receives a C+ and Washington Commanders receives a B. The verdict is Washington Commanders Win. The conclusion weighs usable contribution, duration, and significance while keeping later separate transactions outside the original bargain.