Buffalo Bills

Denver traded down with Buffalo from the second round into the early third, adding a sixth-round pick while selecting defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim. The Broncos chose volume and board management over staying at No. 62. This kind of trade is hard to grade immediately because its value depends heavily on Onyedim’s development and how the sixth-round pick is ultimately used. The process was reasonable if Denver viewed the talent gap as modest.

Summary: Jacksonville received the 27th pick (Anton Harrison) and a 4th (Tyler Lacy, 130th) from Buffalo for the 25th pick (Dalton Kincaid). Analysis: Moving down 2 spots in Round 1 while gaining a 4th-round pick is solid structural value. Dalton Kincaid became a starting tight end in Buffalo; Anton Harrison became Jacksonville's starting left tackle. Both players developed meaningfully, and Jacksonville gained extra draft capital. This was smart draft-day maneuvering — the Jaguars moved down twice and still landed a starting left tackle plus added picks.

Minnesota turned Diggs into Justin Jefferson and extra picks, a franchise-saving result.

Summary: Jacksonville traded a 5th-round pick (Wyatt Teller, 166th) to Buffalo for DT Marcell Dareus during the 2017 playoff push. Analysis: Dareus was a multiple Pro Bowl interior defender who gave Jacksonville a legitimate run-stuffing presence. His contract was enormous and unsustainable long-term, but for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the short-term football sense was sound. Teller became a Pro Bowl guard for Cleveland — a notable outcome from that 5th-round pick. C+ is too generous given that Jacksonville paid a pick that became a Pro Bowler for a short rental. Grade revised to C.

Minnesota received 2015 5th round pick (137th overall subsequently traded, Grady Jarrett) and 2016 7th round pick (240th overall subsequently traded, Alex McCalister) and sent Matt Cassel and 2015 6th round pick (187th overall subsequently traded, Evan Spencer).

Seattle acquired 2013 7th round pick (214th overall subsequently traded, Travis Bond) from Buffalo Bills on 2012-08-27, sending Tarvaris Jackson in return. This transaction fits Seattle's broader roster-building record for 2012: targeted asset movement, limited known aftershocks, and no obvious franchise-altering result. The Seahawks' C+ grade is tied to receiving 2013 7th round pick (214th overall subsequently traded, Travis Bond) while parting with Tarvaris Jackson. Buffalo Bills's side is graded C because the exchange appears roughly balanced from the available record.

October 5, 2010: Seattle acquired RB Marshawn Lynch from Buffalo for a 2011 4th-round pick and 2012 5th-round pick. The 'Beast Mode' acquisition transformed Seattle's offense. Lynch rushed for 6,347 yards and 57 touchdowns in six-plus seasons, made four straight Pro Bowls (2011-14), and powered the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVIII. Buffalo received picks that became backup tackle Chris Hairston and special-teamer Tank Carder. One of the most lopsided trades of the 2010s.

Summary: Jacksonville traded NT Marcus Stroud — a two-time Pro Bowler — to Buffalo for a 3rd-round pick (71st, later traded) and a 5th-round pick (143rd, later traded as Orlando Scandrick). Analysis: Stroud was coming off injuries but had been one of the best nose tackles in the NFL. Getting a 3rd and a 5th for him represents solid return for a declining, injury-prone veteran. The picks were later traded and became useful in other transactions. C- is too harsh for Jacksonville here — the asset return was reasonable for what Stroud was at that stage. Grade revised to C+.

Denver acquired 2001 2nd round pick (51st overall, Paul Toviessi) from Buffalo Bills in exchange for 2001 2nd round pick (58th overall, Travis Henry) and 2001 4th round pick (110th overall, Brandon Spoon). This was primarily a draft-position exchange, with Denver reshaping its pick stack rather than adding an established player. The grades stay conservative because the historical value depends on how the selected players developed after the swap.

Summary: Jacksonville traded QB Rob Johnson to Buffalo for the 9th overall pick in 1998 (Fred Taylor) and a 4th-round pick (Tavian Banks). Analysis: This is the second most important trade in Jaguars history. Jacksonville cashed in Johnson — who never developed into a starter in Buffalo — at peak perceived value and received the pick that became Fred Taylor. Taylor rushed for 11,271 yards, made the Pro Bowl in 2003, and remains the franchise's all-time leading rusher. The trade worked perfectly: Buffalo absorbed Johnson's limitations at enormous cost while Jacksonville got a franchise-defining running back for a backup quarterback. The A+ grade and F for Buffalo are both fully justified.

Denver acquired draft pick (?-?) from Buffalo Bills for Clint Sampson. Denver converted Clint Sampson into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Buffalo Bills lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Vikings received Steve Freeman; sent past considerations (?).

Seattle acquired Byron Franklin from Buffalo Bills on 1985-08-20, sending Pete Metzelaars in return. From a hindsight view, the Seahawks neither created a defining win nor suffered a major loss here. The important public-facing detail is the actual exchange — Byron Franklin for Pete Metzelaars — rather than a forced storyline. That makes the row useful for database completeness while keeping it below the major-trade tier.

Seattle acquired Jon Borchardt from Buffalo Bills on 1985-04-26, sending 1986 seventh round pick (#180-Butch Rolle) in return. This transaction fits Seattle's broader roster-building record for 1985: targeted asset movement, limited known aftershocks, and no obvious franchise-altering result. The Seahawks' B grade is tied to receiving Jon Borchardt while parting with 1986 seventh round pick (#180-Butch Rolle). Buffalo Bills's side is graded C because the exchange appears roughly balanced from the available record.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired future considerations / undisclosed terms (?) from Buffalo Bills for Curtis Brown (Jerome). Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Buffalo Bills received comparable value in return. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Curtis Brown (Jerome) from Buffalo Bills for undisclosed draft pick (not exercised). Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Buffalo Bills received comparable value in return. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Seattle acquired Reggie McKenzie (b. 1950-07-27) from Buffalo Bills on 1983-06-28, sending 1985 twelfth round pick (#333-Paul Woodside) in return. Seattle's side of this 1983 draft-capital exchange was straightforward: the Seahawks received Reggie McKenzie (b. 1950-07-27) and surrendered 1985 twelfth round pick (#333-Paul Woodside). The B grade reflects the known return, while Buffalo Bills's C grade accounts for the countervalue. The trade belongs as a standard database entry because its documented impact was real but not franchise-shaping.

Denver acquired 1982 first round pick (#21-Gerald Willhite); 1982 fourth round pick (#106-Dan Plater) from Buffalo Bills in exchange for 1982 first round pick (#19-Perry Tuttle). This was primarily a draft-position exchange, with Denver reshaping its pick stack rather than adding an established player. The grades stay conservative because the historical value depends on how the selected players developed after the swap.

Seattle acquired 1982 third round pick (#75-Pete Metzelaars) from Buffalo Bills on 1981-10-13, sending Tom Lynch in return. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired 1982 third round pick (#75-Pete Metzelaars) and gave up Tom Lynch, with the available evidence supporting a C+ grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history.

Denver acquired Wade Manning from Buffalo Bills for 1982 eighth round pick (#216-George Peoples). Denver paid draft capital for Wade Manning, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Seattle moved up in the 1980 draft to select DE Jacob Green at #10 overall, giving Buffalo the #16 pick and a third-rounder. Green became one of the defining defenders of early Seahawks history, recording 97.5 career sacks and anchoring the pass rush through the franchise's first playoff era. Buffalo's return produced solid draft value, but Seattle landed the player who became its all-time sack leader for decades. The B grade is fair because the price was meaningful, yet the long-term result clearly justified the move.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Paul Seymour from Buffalo Bills for Frank Lewis. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Buffalo Bills received comparable value in return.

Denver acquired 1979 draft pick (?-?) from Buffalo Bills for Phil Olsen. Denver converted Phil Olsen into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Buffalo Bills lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Brian Spencer from Buffalo Bills for Ron Schock. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Buffalo Bills received comparable value in return.

Denver acquired Mike Montler from Buffalo Bills in exchange for 1979 second round pick (#51-Jim Haslett). Denver paid draft capital for Mike Montler, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired draft pick (possibly 1977 # 253-Alvin Cowans) from Buffalo Bills for Robert Gaddis / Bob Gaddis. Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Buffalo Bills received comparable value in return. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Denver acquired Bob Kampa from Buffalo Bills for 1975 undisclosed pick (possibly #174-Reggie Cherry). Denver paid draft capital for Bob Kampa, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver acquired John Pitts from Buffalo Bills for Fred Forsberg. Denver swapped Fred Forsberg for John Pitts, a direct player-value trade with limited evidence of a major long-term swing. The grades remain modest because the available record supports a useful roster exchange, not a clear franchise-changing win.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired undisclosed draft pick (?-?) from Buffalo Bills for Ralph Davis (b). Analysis: The available record points to a balanced exchange rather than a clear steal. Pittsburgh addressed its roster or draft-board preference, while Buffalo Bills received comparable value in return. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Denver acquired draft pick (possibly 1974 #251-Greg Hartle) from Buffalo Bills for Clem Turner; Jack Gehrke. Denver converted Clem Turner into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Buffalo Bills lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Denver acquired 1973 16th round pick (#398-Oliver Ross) from Buffalo Bills for Tom Bougus. Denver converted Tom Bougus into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Buffalo Bills lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Denver acquired wide receiver Haven Moses from Buffalo for Dwight Harrison, adding a receiver who became a defining target of the Orange Crush era. Moses became a key component of Denver's first Super Bowl team. He led the Broncos in receiving in multiple seasons during the 1970s and gave the offense a legitimate downfield presence while the defense carried the franchise into national relevance. Trading Harrison for Moses now looks like one of Denver's better value acquisitions of the decade.

Denver acquired 1973 13th round pick (#319-Ed Smith (Alexander)) from Buffalo Bills for Tom Beard. Denver converted Tom Beard into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Buffalo Bills lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Denver acquired Al Andrews from Buffalo Bills for David Washington / Dave Washington (b). Denver swapped David Washington / Dave Washington (b) for Al Andrews, a direct player-value trade with limited evidence of a major long-term swing. The grades remain modest because the available record supports a useful roster exchange, not a clear franchise-changing win.

Denver acquired George Byrd / Butch Byrd from Buffalo Bills for 1972 fifth round pick (possibly #108-Bob Penchion) (possibly #109-Billy Taylor). Denver paid draft capital for George Byrd / Butch Byrd, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver acquired George Saimes from Buffalo Bills for draft pick (?-?). Denver paid draft capital for George Saimes, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver acquired Booker Edgerson from Buffalo Bills for 1972 fifth round pick (possibly #108-Bob Penchion) (possibly #109-Billy Taylor). Denver paid draft capital for Booker Edgerson, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver acquired Billy Masters from Buffalo Bills for 1971 fifth round pick (#113-Tim Beamer). Denver paid draft capital for Billy Masters, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver and Buffalo Bills agreed to a conditional or physical-dependent transaction involving Gene Jeter and conditional eighth round pick (not exercised), but the raw record indicates the deal did not fully take effect as originally planned. Because the raw record describes the trade as voided, not exercised, or dependent on conditions that did not materialize, this row is best treated as a historical transaction note rather than a fully graded personnel exchange.

Denver acquired 1969 sixth round pick (#131-Wandy Williams) from Buffalo Bills for Charlie Mitchell. Denver converted Charlie Mitchell into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Buffalo Bills lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Denver acquired Dave Behrman from Buffalo Bills for 1968 conditional fourth round pick (if Behrman makes Broncos roster) (possibly #86-Edgar Chandler). Denver paid draft capital for Dave Behrman, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver acquired Dave Costa (a) from Buffalo Bills in exchange for 1967 third round pick (#70-Tom Rhoads). Denver paid draft capital for Dave Costa (a), making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver acquired 1966 seventh round pick (#62-Scotty Glacken) from Buffalo Bills for Tom Janik. Denver converted Tom Janik into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while Buffalo Bills lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Denver acquired veteran fullback Carlton 'Cookie' Gilchrist from Buffalo, adding one of the AFL's most physically dominant backs after his peak Bills seasons. Gilchrist was not merely a roster flyer; at his peak he was one of the AFL's signature power backs and the league's first 1,000-yard rusher. Denver acquired him after his best years, so the move stops short of a franchise-altering win, but it still brought rare star pedigree and short-term credibility to an AFL roster still searching for traction.

Denver acquired Marv Matuszak; Billy Atkins from Buffalo Bills for Walt Cudzik. Denver swapped Walt Cudzik for Marv Matuszak, a direct player-value trade with limited evidence of a major long-term swing. The grades remain modest because the available record supports a useful roster exchange, not a clear franchise-changing win.

Denver acquired Willie West; rights to Leon Mavity from Buffalo Bills for John Sklopan; draft pick (?-?). Denver paid draft capital for Willie West, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to Buffalo Bills.

Denver acquired Harold Olson from Buffalo Bills for "high draft player" (possibly 1964 #25-George Byrd / Butch Byrd); "high draft player" (possibly 1964 #81-Bobby Smith). Denver swapped "high draft player" (possibly 1964 #25-George Byrd / Butch Byrd) for Harold Olson, a direct player-value trade with limited evidence of a major long-term swing. The grades remain modest because the available record supports a useful roster exchange, not a clear franchise-changing win.

Denver acquired Frank Jakunas from Buffalo Bills for nan. This was a lower-scale Broncos transaction with identifiable asset flow but limited evidence of major franchise impact. The grades are intentionally conservative until deeper player-level or archival context changes the historical read.