Arizona sent a 1968 fourth-round pick that became Don…
Arizona sent a 1968 fourth-round pick that became Don Fitzgerald and received Terry Nofsinger from Atlanta in the 1967 exchange. The pick produced no NFL regular-season value for Arizona, while Nofsinger appeared in seven games and started once for the Falcons. The return was modest, but Atlanta realized more usable football value and earns the better hindsight grade.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1968 fourth round pick (#85-Don Fitzgerald)
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Terry Nofsinger
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Atlanta acquired quarterback Terry Nofsinger in the spring of 1967, while Arizona received a 1968 fourth-round selection that became Don Fitzgerald at No. 85. Draft-pick records place the exchange on April 29, one day earlier than a separate player transaction log, but the player, teams, and downstream pick are otherwise aligned.
Arizona Cardinals Return
Arizona sent a 1968 fourth-round pick that became Don Fitzgerald and received Terry Nofsinger from Atlanta in the 1967 exchange. The pick produced no NFL regular-season value for Arizona, while Nofsinger appeared in seven games and started once for the Falcons. The return was modest, but Atlanta realized more usable football value and earns the better hindsight grade.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta moved Terry Nofsinger to Arizona for a 1968 fourth-round pick that became Don Fitzgerald. Nofsinger later played seven games with one start for the Falcons, while Fitzgerald never appeared in an NFL regular-season game for the Cardinals. The difference is not large, but Atlanta received the only meaningful on-field return and grades slightly better in hindsight.
Value in Hindsight
The gap is small, which is why the grades stay modest. A fourth-round pick can be more attractive than a reserve quarterback at the moment of a trade, but hindsight depends on what the assets actually became. Arizona's selection produced no regular-season appearances, while Atlanta at least received seven games and a start from Nofsinger. The one-day date disagreement does not change that value comparison. Neither side found a cornerstone, and Atlanta did not uncover a long-term starter, but the Falcons turned the transaction into actual NFL snaps while the Cardinals' draft return never reached the field.
Final Verdict
Atlanta gets the narrow win. A C+ recognizes limited but real service from Nofsinger, while Arizona's D+ reflects a fourth-round pick that produced no regular-season value. The transaction mattered little in franchise terms, but Atlanta realized the better return.