Houston received the rights to running back Duane Thomas.…
Houston received the rights to running back Duane Thomas. Thomas had been a productive NFL player earlier in his career, but those rights did not produce meaningful Oilers regular-season value. He later attempted comebacks with other clubs instead. With no durable Houston contribution emerging from the acquired rights, the Oilers' side of the exchange finished below neutral.
Tennessee Titans Received
- other rights to Duane Thomas
Washington Commanders Received
- other rights to Steve Manstedt
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1976-04-02, Tennessee Titans received rights to Duane Thomas, while Washington Commanders received rights to Steve Manstedt. This hindsight grade considers only the consideration each club controlled directly after the transaction. When an acquired selection or player later moved again, that later move is treated as provenance rather than as extra compensation. The central question is what practical football value each side ultimately created from the assets in this exchange.
Houston Oilers Return
Houston received the rights to running back Duane Thomas. Thomas had been a productive NFL player earlier in his career, but those rights did not produce meaningful Oilers regular-season value. He later attempted comebacks with other clubs instead. With no durable Houston contribution emerging from the acquired rights, the Oilers' side of the exchange finished below neutral.
Washington Return
Washington received the rights to Steve Manstedt, a Nebraska defender who was with the Redskins in 1976. His NFL impact was limited, so this was not a major gain, but Washington at least brought the acquired player into its own program. That modest realized connection is enough for a narrow edge over Houston's unused rights to Duane Thomas.
Value in Hindsight
Neither set of rights produced major long-term value. Manstedt at least joined Washington's 1976 program, while Thomas did not create Oilers regular-season value after Houston obtained his rights. The difference is slight, so Washington gets only a narrow edge and a neutral-range grade. Taken together, those outcomes support Washington Commanders Win and the stated grade separation. The scale remains proportional to the size of the deal and the certainty of the evidence rather than overstating a minor transaction.
Final Verdict
Tennessee Titans receives a D+ and Washington Commanders receives a C. The verdict is Washington Commanders Win. This conclusion reflects the direct assets, the football value each club actually realized, and the duration of that value. It does not award extra credit for later unrelated transactions involving an acquired pick or player.