Kansas City acquired linebacker Ken Avery from Cincinnati for…
Kansas City acquired linebacker Ken Avery from Cincinnati for a future fourth-round choice. Avery gave the Chiefs one season, appearing in all 14 games with five starts in 1975. Cincinnati used the resulting No. 106 pick in 1976 on Tony Davis, who spent three seasons with the Bengals and remained in the NFL for six years. The Bengals receive a modest edge for the longer realized return.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 1976 fourth round pick (#106-Tony Davis)
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- player Ken Avery
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Kansas City acquired linebacker Ken Avery from Cincinnati on April 18, 1975, for a future fourth-round draft choice. Cincinnati's own history traces that selection to No. 106 in the 1976 draft, where the Bengals selected Nebraska running back Tony Davis. This was a straightforward veteran-for-pick transaction with modest stakes.
What Kansas City Received
Avery gave the Chiefs immediate depth and some starting value. He appeared in all 14 games in 1975 and started five of them. That is a respectable outcome for a club seeking a veteran linebacker without surrendering premium draft capital. His Kansas City tenure, however, was brief, which limits the long-term value of the acquisition.
What Cincinnati Received
The Bengals waited a year and used the fourth-rounder on Davis. He was not a featured back, but he appeared in all 14 games in each of his first three seasons with Cincinnati. Across those three years he rushed for 316 yards and five touchdowns while also contributing as a reserve and special-teams player. Davis ultimately played 89 NFL games across six seasons, giving the pick more longevity than Avery's Chiefs stint.
Why Cincinnati Gets the Edge
Neither side landed a transformative player. Kansas City bought immediate competence, and Cincinnati exchanged a veteran for a younger player who stayed useful for several seasons. The difference is enough for a narrow Bengals win, not a landslide. Davis' extended roster value matters more than Avery's one-season contribution, but the fourth-round pick did not become a major starter.
Final Verdict
Cincinnati receives a B- and Kansas City a C. The Chiefs got legitimate short-term help, so the deal was not poor process or an empty return. The Bengals nevertheless converted Avery into a younger player who remained useful longer, giving Cincinnati the better realized outcome.