New York Jets received W.K. Hicks; Houston Oilers/Tennessee…
New York Jets received W.K. Hicks; Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans received 1970 fifth-round pick No. 110, Ron Saul. Hicks started 29 games for the Jets over three seasons and intercepted 13 passes, including eight in 1970. Saul became a useful Oilers lineman, appearing in 61 games with 36 starts from 1970-75 before Houston traded him. The realized outcomes support New York Jets Win, with New York Jets graded A- and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans graded B-.
New York Jets Received
- player W.K. Hicks
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1970 fifth round pick (#110- Ron Saul )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1970-01-27, New York Jets received W.K. Hicks, while Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans received 1970 fifth-round pick No. 110, Ron Saul. The package is documented well enough to evaluate what each club actually realized rather than relying on generic descriptions or the nominal value of a pick.
New York Jets Return
Hicks immediately became a starting defensive back for New York. Across 1970-72 he played 41 games, started 29 and intercepted 13 passes, including eight interceptions in his first Jets season. That is the relevant football outcome for New York Jets. The A- grade is based on games, starts, production, roster tenure and the actual disposition of the acquired asset rather than its perceived value on the transaction date.
Houston Oilers Return
Houston used No. 110 on guard Ron Saul, who also produced meaningful value. Saul appeared in 61 Oilers games from 1970 through 1975, started 36 of them and became a full-time starter in 1975 before being traded to Washington in 1976. That result supports the B- grade for Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. When a draft choice is involved, the selected player's team-specific contribution matters; production for another club later in the player's career is not credited back to the original receiver.
Value in Hindsight
The important distinction is between acquiring an asset and actually receiving football value from it. New York Jets gets credit only for what W.K. Hicks produced for that franchise, while Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans is evaluated the same way for 1970 fifth-round pick No. 110, Ron Saul. This makes the comparison concrete and prevents later-career production, unexercised conditions or unsupported pick assumptions from inflating either side.
Final Verdict
New York Jets Win. New York Jets receives A-, and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans receives B-. The verdict follows the documented package and the team-specific outcomes above, with the grades adjusted where the prior generic assessment did not match the realized return.