Denver acquired fullback Willis Crenshaw from St. Louis in…
Denver acquired fullback Willis Crenshaw from St. Louis in 1970 for the 1971 third-round pick used on Jim Livesay at No. 61. Crenshaw played 12 games for the Broncos, rushing for 200 yards and five touchdowns while adding 105 receiving yards and another score. Livesay was drafted by the Cardinals but never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Denver received a useful season of production, giving the Broncos the clear edge.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1971 third round pick (#61-Jim Livesay)
Denver Broncos Received
- player Willis Crenshaw / Willie Crenshaw
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Denver obtained fullback Willis Crenshaw from the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 for a third-round selection in the 1971 draft. Broncos historical records identify the resulting pick as No. 61 overall, used by St. Louis on Richmond receiver Jim Livesay. Draft transaction records place the exchange on May 1, giving a clear player-for-future-pick structure.
What Denver Received
Crenshaw had been a productive Cardinals back earlier in his career, including an 813-yard rushing season in 1968. Denver did not receive that peak version, but it did get a useful contributor for the 1970 season. NFL statistics show Crenshaw playing 12 games for the Broncos, rushing 69 times for 200 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 105 yards and another touchdown. Six scores and 305 yards from scrimmage are meaningful production for a one-season acquisition, even though his NFL career ended after that year.
What St. Louis Received
The Cardinals acquired a third-round pick, a valuable future asset, and used it on Livesay. Official draft histories and Pro Football Reference both identify him as the 61st overall selection. The choice did not translate into NFL production. Livesay has no NFL regular-season playing record, and the Cardinals’ 1971 roster statistics do not show him as a contributor. St. Louis therefore received the opportunity associated with a third-round selection but no realized regular-season value from the player it chose.
Final Verdict
Denver wins because the Broncos received an actual season of offensive production, including six touchdowns, while the Cardinals’ third-round conversion produced no NFL appearances. The return was not long enough to justify an elite grade, so Denver lands at B-. St. Louis receives C-: acquiring a third-round pick was reasonable value for a veteran back, but the selection failed to reach the field. The realized results support a clear Broncos advantage.