Detroit Lions received Ken Barefoot from Washington…
Detroit Lions received Ken Barefoot from Washington Commanders. Barefoot never appeared in a Lions regular-season game, so Detroit received no direct game contribution from the player it acquired. The D grade reflects the direct value Detroit Lions realized from the transaction, with the final Washington Commanders Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.
Detroit Lions Received
- player Ken Barefoot
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1970 sixth round pick (#149-Tony Terry)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1969-08-11, Detroit sent a 1970 sixth-round choice to Washington for Ken Barefoot. Washington later reacquired the same pick in the Dave Kopay transaction, and the selection ultimately became Tony Terry. The comparison centers on what each club actually received after the transaction, including regular-season service and draft outcomes that can be tied directly to the exchanged assets. That approach keeps a small historical deal proportional to the value it ultimately created.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit Lions received Ken Barefoot from Washington Commanders. Barefoot never appeared in a Lions regular-season game, so Detroit received no direct game contribution from the player it acquired. The D grade reflects the direct value Detroit Lions realized from the transaction, with the final Washington Commanders Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.
Washington Return
Washington Commanders received 1970 sixth round pick (#149-Tony Terry) from Detroit Lions. Washington recovered the draft asset and used it as part of subsequent roster activity, giving the club more practical value than Detroit received from Barefoot. The B- grade reflects the direct value Washington Commanders realized from the transaction, with the final Washington Commanders Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.
Value in Hindsight
The trade was small, but the later handling of the sixth-round choice creates a real separation. Detroit paid draft capital for a player who never reached its regular-season lineup, while Washington retained useful flexibility around the pick. The grade gap stays limited when both sides received something useful and widens only when the documented returns clearly separated. This keeps the evaluation tied to the transaction itself instead of later reputation.
Final Verdict
The final call is Washington Commanders Win. Detroit Lions earns D, and Washington Commanders earns B-. Washington received the stronger return because the draft asset retained value after Barefoot produced no Lions regular-season contribution. Those grades reflect the package each club received, the service that followed, and the downstream value that can be connected confidently to the original exchange.