Detroit acquired cornerback Kevin Barnes from Washington for…
Detroit acquired cornerback Kevin Barnes from Washington for an undisclosed conditional 2013 draft pick. Barnes appeared in only two games for the Lions, logged 14 defensive snaps and was released in September. The conditional pick was not exercised, so Washington ultimately received no draft asset from the deal. With almost no realized football value on either side, the C/C Even Trade result fits the realized outcome.
Detroit Lions Received
- player Kevin Barnes
Washington Commanders Received
- pick an undisclosed 2013 draft pick (not exercised)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 27, 2012, Detroit acquired cornerback Kevin Barnes from Washington for an undisclosed conditional 2013 draft choice. Pro Football Reference's Detroit trade ledger specifically records that the pick was not exercised. That matters because Washington cannot be credited with hypothetical draft value that never conveyed, while Detroit must be judged on Barnes' actual stay with the club.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received only a short look at Barnes. NFL records show he appeared in two games for the Lions in 2012, and Pro Football Archives credits him with 14 defensive snaps and 23 special-teams snaps. Detroit's own transaction log shows the team released him in mid-September, only weeks after the trade. He did not record an interception or establish a meaningful defensive role for the Lions. That minimal service supports a C grade rather than treating the acquisition itself as value.
Washington Return
Washington's return never materialized. The consideration was an undisclosed conditional 2013 pick, but the condition was not met and the pick was not exercised. With no selection conveyed, Washington has no downstream drafted player to credit to this transaction. The proper asset outcome is therefore verified non-conveyance, not an unidentified future choice that might be assigned speculative value. A C grade reflects that the club moved a player but ultimately received no usable draft return.
Value in Hindsight
Both sides ended close to zero. Detroit got two games and a handful of snaps from Barnes before releasing him; Washington got no draft choice because the condition did not trigger. There is no reason to manufacture separation by valuing the conditional pick as if it had conveyed or by crediting Barnes for work he did elsewhere. The transaction produced little lasting football value for either franchise, which is exactly what an even, low-grade result should represent.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Detroit receives C for a two-game, short-lived depth acquisition, and Washington receives C because its conditional 2013 pick was not exercised. The factual record supports almost no enduring benefit on either side. Keeping the grades even is more accurate than rewarding nominal consideration that never became an asset or overstating Barnes' brief role in Detroit.