Washington acquired veteran tight end Marv Fleming from Miami…
Washington acquired veteran tight end Marv Fleming from Miami for the NFL rights to Charley Harraway and a 1977 fourth-round pick, No. 110. The deal unraveled quickly: Harraway did not report to Miami, but Fleming was waived before the 1975 season and never gave Washington regular-season value. Miami still retained the future draft asset and later moved it, so the Dolphins escaped with usable compensation while Washington received essentially nothing.
Miami Dolphins Received
- other NFL rights to Charley Harraway
- pick 1977 4th round pick (110th overall, subsequently traded)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Marv Fleming
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Washington acquired veteran tight end Marv Fleming from Miami in June 1975. The Dolphins received the NFL rights to running back Charley Harraway plus Washington's 1977 fourth-round pick, No. 110. Later movement of that pick belongs to Miami's subsequent transactions, not to the original Washington-Miami package.
Washington Commanders Return
Fleming arrived with an impressive résumé from Green Bay and Miami, including championship experience, but the timing was poor. He did not become a regular-season contributor for Washington and was waived before the 1975 season began. For a team that surrendered both player rights and a future fourth-round selection, receiving no meaningful game production made the deal costly despite Fleming's established reputation.
Miami Dolphins Return
Harraway's rights did not turn into on-field value because he did not report and ultimately retired. Miami nevertheless held the additional fourth-round asset. The Dolphins later moved No. 110 as part of another draft maneuver, so the exact later selections should not be folded into this exchange. The important point is that Miami retained tradable capital after the player portion failed.
Value in Hindsight
Both veteran components disappeared quickly, which makes the draft pick decisive. Washington gambled that Fleming could extend his career and contribute immediately; when that did not happen, the club had no football return to offset the future fourth. Miami did not get Harraway, but it did preserve a useful asset for later use.
Final Verdict
Miami earns a B- and Washington a D. The Dolphins did not receive the veteran runner they hoped for, yet the fourth-round pick gave them recoverable value. Washington paid that pick plus Harraway's rights for a player who never produced in the regular season, making Miami the clear winner.