Green Bay Packers received 1971 fifth round pick (#124-Jim…

The Exchange

On 1971-01-28, Green Bay Packers received 1971 fifth round pick (#124-Jim Stillwagon), while Washington Commanders received rights to Boyd Dowler. This was a relatively small transaction, so the useful question is what each side actually gained from the exchanged player or draft choice. The documented career results provide enough separation to grade the two returns without treating the deal as larger than it was. Green Bay Packers Return Washington acquired Boyd Dowler's rights and received a useful veteran season from the former Packers star, who played 12 games and remained a meaningful receiver in 1971. Green Bay's return became fifth-rounder Jim Stillwagon, but Stillwagon signed in the CFL and never produced NFL value for the Packers. The evidence therefore reverses the current result and gives Washington the clearer return. For Green Bay Packers, the return is graded D. That grade is based on the direct NFL service, starts, production, or draft value tied to what Green Bay Packers received. Where a later draft connection is uncertain, the assessment counts only what can be supported confidently rather than assuming extra value. Washington Commanders Return Washington Commanders is graded B for its side of the exchange. The same standard applies here: sustained playing time and meaningful production raise the value, while brief service or a pick that did not create an NFL role keeps the return modest. The evidence is weighed by realized football value rather than by the apparent importance of the asset on the day of the trade. Value in Hindsight Hindsight separates these returns because the two sides did not produce equal results after the exchange. The grades reflect duration, role, production, and the strength of the documented draft connection. That approach gives useful credit for a productive veteran or a pick that became a contributor, while avoiding extra credit for outcomes that cannot be tied securely to this deal. Final Verdict The final call is Washington Commanders Win. Green Bay Packers receives D, and Washington Commanders receives B. The decision follows the documented value attached to the exchanged assets and the contribution each club ultimately realized. That keeps the verdict appropriately scaled while still recognizing a meaningful edge when one side clearly produced more usable NFL value.