Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received Washington's 1976…
Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received Washington's 1976 fifteenth-round selection at No. 420 for the rights to Ray Parson and used it on Lee Nelson. Nelson became a ten-season defensive back for the franchise, appearing in 135 games with 64 starts. Turning a distant late-round pick into that much sustained service is exceptional value and earns the Cardinals an A.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1976 15th round pick (#420-Lee Nelson)
Washington Commanders Received
- other rights to Ray Parson
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Washington acquired the rights to Ray Parson from St. Louis in January 1975 and sent a 1976 fifteenth-round selection in return. The pick became No. 420, and the Cardinals used it on defensive back Lee Nelson. Because the selection can be traced directly to Nelson, the hindsight comparison is unusually clear even though the original draft capital looked almost negligible.
Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Return
Nelson became a remarkable return for such a late choice. He spent ten seasons with the Cardinals, appeared in 135 games and made 64 starts. Fifteenth-round picks normally carry very little expected value, so obtaining a decade of defensive-back service from one is an outstanding result. The A grade reflects both the length of Nelson's tenure and the extreme efficiency of the acquisition cost.
Washington Commanders Return
Washington did not receive comparable football value from Parson's rights. The initial risk was tiny because the surrendered pick came so late in the draft, but hindsight exposes the opportunity cost: the asset given away became a long-term starter and contributor for St. Louis. An F is justified because the acquired rights did not produce meaningful Washington value while the outgoing selection generated a substantial career for the other team.
Value in Hindsight
This transaction demonstrates why even the lowest draft choices can matter. No one should expect a fifteenth-round pick to become a ten-year contributor, but once it does, the realized value is part of the trade's history. The result is directly tied to the original selection, so there is no need to rely on speculative later movement or unrelated roster events.
Final Verdict
Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Win. The Cardinals earn an A for turning pick No. 420 into Lee Nelson's decade of service. Washington receives an F because the rights to Parson did not come close to matching that return.