New York acquired halfback Joel Wells from Green Bay on June…
New York acquired halfback Joel Wells from Green Bay on June 21, 1961, for the Giants' 1962 third-round pick, No. 41, which the Packers used on Gary Barnes. Green Bay's official draft history confirms that exact lineage. Wells played all 14 games for New York, started three and produced 216 rushing yards plus return work. Barnes appeared in only one game for Green Bay before later moving on, giving New York the better realized return.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1962 third-round pick (No. 41, Gary Barnes )
New York Giants Received
- player Joel Wells
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On June 21, 1961, Green Bay traded halfback Joel Wells to the Giants for New York's third-round selection in the 1962 draft. The Packers' own all-time draft history identifies No. 41, Gary Barnes, as coming from the Giants for Wells. That official lineage resolves an older conflated version of the route: this transaction was Wells for the third-round pick. Other Green Bay-New York player movements from the era were separate deals and do not belong in this package.
New York's Return
Wells played all 14 games for the Giants in 1961 and started three. He rushed 65 times for 216 yards, scored a rushing touchdown and also contributed in the return game. His New York career lasted only that season, so the return was not long term, but the Giants did receive actual regular-season production across a full schedule from the player they acquired.
Green Bay's Return
The Packers used the acquired No. 41 pick on receiver Gary Barnes. Barnes appeared in only one regular-season game for Green Bay in 1962 and recorded no receiving production for the club. Green Bay later traded him to Dallas and recovered another draft choice, so the asset was not completely lost. Still, the direct Packers player return from the third-round selection was very small.
Value in Hindsight
A third-round pick carried more theoretical value than a one-season veteran, and Green Bay did preserve some downstream value by later moving Barnes. The Giants nevertheless received the clearer immediate football return: a full season, 216 rushing yards and return usage from Wells. Because Wells was useful rather than transformative and Barnes retained resale value, the gap should stay modest rather than become a major Giants grade.
Final Verdict
New York Giants Win. New York earns a B- for receiving a full useful season from Wells. Green Bay receives a C+ because the third-round pick produced almost no Packers game value, though Barnes later retained trade value. The documented one-player-for-one-pick package favors the Giants on realized team contribution without overstating the difference.