Buffalo Bills

Indianapolis acquired center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and Buffalo's 2027 seventh-round pick for the Colts' 2027 sixth-round selection. Van Pran-Granger arrived with 31 NFL appearances and two starts at age 24, giving Indianapolis experienced interior depth for a small move down the draft board. The cost is limited, while the Colts gain a young player who can compete for backup or starting work.

Buffalo moved down only one spot from No. 101 to No. 102 in the 2026 fourth round and received an additional 2027 seventh-round pick. The Bills selected Boston College lineman Jude Bowry at No. 102. By accepting minimal movement on the board, Buffalo gained a future asset without materially changing its draft position, an efficient exchange whose player outcomes remain unknown.

Buffalo Bills received two seventh-round rookies who both made Buffalo's initial 53-man roster: punter Tommy Doman at No. 239 and guard Ar'maj Reed-Adams at No. 241. The team earns a C, compared with C for Chicago Bears, and the hindsight verdict is Even Trade. That judgment reflects the concrete team-specific production, role and tenure created by the assets in this deal.

Buffalo moved from No. 66 to No. 62 in the 2026 draft, sending Denver the 66th pick and No. 182 to make the jump. The Bills used No. 62 on Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun. That is a modest price for targeting a preferred second-round defender, but the rookie has not yet supplied regular-season evidence. Buffalo's C+ reflects a reasonable move whose long-term value remains unsettled.

Houston moved from No. 28 to No. 26 in the 2026 first round, sending Buffalo picks 28, 69 and 167 for picks 26 and 91. The Texans used No. 26 on guard Keylan Rutledge, while Buffalo quickly moved No. 28 again and continued reshaping its draft capital. With the rookie class still awaiting regular-season results, neither side has earned a meaningful historical edge.

Buffalo moved down three spots from No. 28 to No. 31 in the 2026 first round and added pick 125, while New England climbed to No. 28 for Utah tackle Caleb Lomu. The Bills later moved No. 31 again and kept No. 125, using it on UConn receiver Skyler Bell. With both rookies still before their first regular season, the exchange remains appropriately even.

Buffalo and Tennessee swapped six 2026 draft choices when the Titans moved back into the first round for edge defender Keldric Faulk. Tennessee received Nos. 31, 69 and 165, while Buffalo received Nos. 35, 66 and 101. With no regular-season results yet from the rookies and several picks subsequently moved again, the fairest August 2026 judgment remains even and provisional.

Houston moved from No. 28 to No. 26 and also received No. 91, sending Buffalo picks 28, 69 and 167. The Texans used No. 26 on Keylan Rutledge, prioritizing a specific first-round target, while Buffalo accumulated extra Day 2 and Day 3 value. Houston gets the slight early edge only because it secured its preferred player; the broader draft-value exchange gave Buffalo several chances to outperform it.

Buffalo officially traded Taron Johnson and pick No. 228 to Las Vegas on March 11, 2026 for pick No. 182. The Bills later packaged No. 182 with No. 66 to move up four spots to No. 62, where they selected Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun. Through two games, Igbinosun had seven tackles and one pass defended. Because Buffalo also spent No. 66, the rookie cannot be credited wholly to this trade, but No. 182 clearly helped fund the move.

Buffalo paid the No. 60 pick for D.J. Moore and Chicago's No. 165 selection, giving Josh Allen an established receiver while preserving a later draft asset. Chicago converted a veteran contract into a second-rounder. With Moore yet to play a regular-season game for Buffalo, the exchange remains balanced between immediate offensive help and meaningful young-cost-controlled capital.

Buffalo moved back up to No. 109 in the 2025 fourth round to select Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker, sending Chicago Nos. 132 and 169. The Bills had previously sent No. 109 to the Bears in their larger Day 2 trade, then decided Walker was worth reacquiring the pick. Buffalo's return is one high-upside defensive lineman whose career remains in its early stages.

Buffalo jumped from No. 56 to No. 41 in the 2025 draft and came away with T.J. Sanders, while also receiving Nos. 72 and 240. The Bills used those additional selections on Landon Jackson and Kaden Prather. They paid Nos. 56, 62 and 109, making this a substantial consolidation of capital rather than a simple move up fifteen spots.

Buffalo turned its return into rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock and a 2026 seventh-rounder that later helped produce another trade asset. Hancock has played 14 regular-season games through Week 1 of 2026 without a start. Dallas received seven 2025 starts from Kaiir Elam before waiving him and only one appearance from Ajani Cornelius. The Cowboys retain a narrow hindsight edge, C+ to C.

Buffalo acquired Amari Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick from Cleveland for a 2025 third and 2026 seventh. Cooper gave the Bills 20 catches, 297 yards and two touchdowns in nine regular-season games plus modest playoff production before leaving after the season. Cleveland used the third-rounder on quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who appeared in 10 games as a rookie. The lasting rookie-contract value now tilts this trade toward the Browns.

Buffalo got 21 regular-season games of return-specialist work from Brandon Codrington, including 681 kick-return yards and 371 punt-return yards, but 2026 seventh-rounder Toriano Pride was released before playing a Bills game. New York converted No. 208 into Geno Smith plus No. 228 VJ Payne. Smith immediately started a 23-10 Week 1 win, throwing for 215 yards without a turnover. The Jets now lead B to C+.

Chicago traded its 2025 fourth-round pick to Buffalo during the 2024 draft to reacquire No. 144 and select edge defender Austin Booker. That future fourth became No. 109, which Buffalo used on defensive tackle Deone Walker. Both teams turned the exchange into young defensive contributors, but Walker's immediate starting role gives Buffalo a slight edge.

Buffalo moved down five spots in the 2024 fifth round, sending No. 163 to Green Bay for Nos. 168 and 219. The Packers selected Jacob Monk, while Buffalo took edge rusher Javon Solomon and defensive back Daequan Hardy. Solomon has appeared in 31 games across his first two seasons and produced three sacks, giving the Bills the strongest realized return from the exchange.

Buffalo moved from No. 28 to No. 32 in the 2024 first round and added picks 95 and 221, while Kansas City moved up for Xavier Worthy and also received picks 133 and 248. Worthy became an immediate postseason weapon and Jaden Hicks developed into a useful safety. Buffalo later traded No. 32 again, so Xavier Legette was not a direct Bills return. Kansas City has clearly produced more value from this exchange.

Carolina moved from No. 33 to No. 32 for Xavier Legette and also received No. 200, used on Jaden Crumedy. Buffalo took Keon Coleman at No. 33 and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger at No. 141. Coleman has 960 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through two seasons, slightly outproducing Legette’s 860 yards and seven scores, while Van Pran-Granger has provided useful line depth and Crumedy was waived in 2025.

Buffalo traded Stefon Diggs, the 2024 No. 189 pick and a 2025 fifth-round choice to Houston for Minnesota's 2025 second-round pick. That second-rounder became No. 56 overall and was one of three selections Buffalo sent to Chicago to move up for defensive tackle T.J. Sanders while also acquiring picks 72 and 240. The Bills therefore converted Diggs and two later picks into premium 2025 draft capital that helped reshape their defensive class.

Buffalo traded Ryan Bates to Chicago for the 2024 fifth-round pick that became No. 144. The Bills did not select Austin Booker with it; they traded No. 144 back to Chicago for a 2025 fourth-round pick, which is the proper Buffalo return to trace. Bates played 19 Bears games across 2024-25 but made only two starts. Buffalo wins on preserved draft value and Chicago's limited offensive-line return.

Buffalo acquired Rasul Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick from Green Bay for a 2024 third-round choice. Douglas made an immediate impact with four interceptions in nine regular-season games in 2023, then started 15 games in 2024 and helped another playoff run before leaving in free agency. Green Bay still received a useful young player in Ty'Ron Hopper, but Douglas gave Buffalo the stronger realized return.

Buffalo received the 2025 sixth-round selection used on Dorian Strong. Strong appeared in four rookie games, made one start, and recorded 10 tackles, giving the Bills some direct defensive value. The return remains early in its development, but New York has already accumulated more total service from Boogie Basham and Korie Black, leaving Buffalo slightly behind in realized value.

Buffalo moved down in the 2023 fifth round and came away with No. 150 Justin Shorter plus No. 215. Shorter spent his rookie year on injured reserve and did not become an immediate Bills regular, but the additional sixth-round asset preserved value and was moved again. The two-piece return offsets Washington's quicker on-field contribution enough to keep Buffalo near even.

Buffalo received No. 230 in 2023 plus a 2024 sixth-round selection. Nick Broeker did not create lasting Bills value, and the future sixth was later moved again before another club used it. Buffalo preserved draft capital in the exchange, but the direct return did not produce a contributor comparable to the player Houston selected after moving up.

Los Angeles traded pick No. 252 and a 2024 sixth-rounder to Buffalo on April 29, 2023 for pick No. 215. The Rams selected running back Zach Evans, who appeared in 10 regular-season games as a rookie, rushing nine times for 19 yards without a touchdown, and never played another regular-season game for Los Angeles. The move-up therefore produced only a brief reserve contribution.

Jacksonville sent the 25th pick in the 2023 draft to Buffalo for Nos. 27 and 130. Buffalo used No. 25 on tight end Dalton Kincaid, while Jacksonville selected tackle Anton Harrison at No. 27 and defensive lineman Tyler Lacy at No. 130. Kincaid and Harrison both became meaningful young starters, leaving a balanced value exchange with additional depth value flowing to Jacksonville.

Atlanta Falcons Atlanta received Buffalo's 2023 seventh-round pick. The Falcons later used No. 245 as a direct trade asset in the Jonnu Smith deal, converting modest draft capital into a useful veteran tight end. The supported hindsight grade is B-. That mark weighs only value tied directly to this transaction and keeps the result proportional to the deal's cost. Against Buffalo Bills, the final verdict is Atlanta Falcons Win.

Buffalo Bills received Nyheim Hines from Indianapolis, giving up Zack Moss and the 2023 fifth-round selection that became Will Mallory. Hines provided immediate return-game value, including two kickoff-return touchdowns in the 2022 playoffs, but his Buffalo tenure was interrupted before 2023. That useful but short contribution supports a C+ for Buffalo rather than a stronger long-term grade.

Arizona Cardinals received Cody Ford in the exchange with Buffalo Bills. Cody Ford played 11 games with three starts for Arizona in 2022, giving the Cardinals a modest but tangible veteran return. Against Buffalo Bills' return of 2023 5th round pick (137th overall subsequently traded, K.J. Henry), that outcome supports a B- grade. The transaction is judged as Arizona Cardinals Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Buffalo moved down from No. 60 to No. 63 in 2022, receiving pick 209 and selecting James Cook. Cincinnati moved up for cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt. Cook has become a three-time Pro Bowler, won the 2025 NFL rushing title with 1,621 yards and earned second-team All-Pro honors. Taylor-Britt has supplied several seasons of starting corner play, but Cook's elite production and long-term extension make Buffalo the clear winner.

Buffalo sent picks 168 and 203 to Chicago for No. 148 and selected Khalil Shakir. Shakir developed into Josh Allen's dependable slot target, led Buffalo with 76 catches and 821 receiving yards in 2024 and signed an extension through 2029. Chicago used No. 168 on Braxton Jones, who has started 44 of 46 career games at left tackle and earned PFWA All-Rookie honors. Both teams found long-term starters, making this an excellent even trade.

Tampa Bay moved from No. 60 to No. 57 in the 2022 draft for tackle Luke Goedeke, sending Buffalo pick No. 180 as well. Goedeke became a durable Buccaneers starter, making Tampa's return strong. Buffalo then flipped No. 60 to Cincinnati and landed the pick used on James Cook, who led the NFL with 1,621 rushing yards in 2025. That downstream result gives Buffalo the larger payoff.

Buffalo sent picks 25 and 130 to Baltimore to move up two spots for cornerback Kaiir Elam. The Ravens stayed in the first round and drafted center Tyler Linderbaum, then used No. 130 on punter Jordan Stout. Linderbaum made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2023 through 2025, and Stout earned his first in 2025. Elam started only 12 games for Buffalo before being traded to Dallas. Baltimore won overwhelmingly.

Buffalo Bills received Case Keenum in the exchange with Cleveland Browns. Its C grade reflects the practical value of that return relative to the package surrendered and the hindsight result. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Carolina acquired defensive end Darryl Johnson from Buffalo for a 2022 sixth-round pick, hoping to add size and special-teams help before the 2021 season. Buffalo used that selection at No. 185 on cornerback Christian Benford. Benford developed into a starting-caliber defensive back and later earned a four-year extension, turning a depth-player sale into a major long-term return for the Bills.

Buffalo Bills received 2021 6th round pick (203rd overall, Marquez Stevenson) and 2021 6th round pick (212th overall, Damar Hamlin) from Houston Texans. Buffalo turned its two sixth-round selections into Marquez Stevenson and Damar Hamlin. Hamlin developed into a multi-year safety contributor, creating the strongest durable return produced by the original pick swap. That outcome supports a B+ grade for Buffalo Bills when the trade is measured by the football value actually realized after the exchange.

Atlanta Falcons received Lee Smith from Buffalo Bills. Smith filled a short-term role, appearing in 16 games with six starts during the 2021 season and giving Atlanta the veteran blocking presence it sought. The C+ grade reflects the direct value Atlanta Falcons realized from the transaction, with the final Buffalo Bills Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.

Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers completed this transaction on 2020-08-31, with Buffalo Bills receiving Andre Smith and Carolina Panthers receiving a conditional 2023 pick (7th round and not conveyed). The cited historical sources support the basic exchange and its compensation. In hindsight, Buffalo Bills gets the better grade because its return produced the clearer practical value from this modest exchange.

Minnesota turned an unhappy-star situation into the No. 22 pick in 2020 and used it on Justin Jefferson, immediately replacing elite receiver production with a younger centerpiece on a rookie contract. The additional fifth-, sixth-, and future fourth-round assets deepened the return. Because Jefferson became a franchise-level receiver rather than merely a serviceable replacement, Minnesota achieved the rare outcome of trading away a star without losing the long-term talent battle.

Buffalo Bills traded Zay Jones to the Raiders for the 2021 fifth-round pick that became No. 161, Tommy Doyle. Doyle appeared in 12 regular-season games for Buffalo without a start, giving the Bills only modest depth value from the selection. Because Jones became a much larger contributor for the Raiders, Buffalo's return falls to a C in hindsight.

Buffalo Bills traded center Russell Bodine to New England for the 2020 sixth-round pick that became No. 207, Isaiah Hodgins. The Patriots released Bodine only days later and he never played a regular-season snap for them. Hodgins had a limited Buffalo role but still gave the Bills roster value from an asset they acquired for a player New England immediately discarded, earning Buffalo a B-.

Buffalo traded Wyatt Teller and a 2021 seventh-round pick to Cleveland for 2020 fifth- and sixth-round selections. Teller became an elite guard for the Browns, earning repeated Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition. Buffalo’s return was far better than the original grade suggests, however: the fifth-rounder was included in the Stefon Diggs package and the sixth-rounder became kicker Tyler Bass. Cleveland still landed the best direct player, but both teams created major value.

Buffalo received Ryan Bates; Philadelphia received Eli Harold. Buffalo acquired Ryan Bates in the preseason swap and developed him into a versatile lineman who eventually started meaningful games and earned a four-year contract. Philadelphia released Eli Harold before he delivered regular-season value for the Eagles. The hindsight grades are B+ for Buffalo Bills and D for Philadelphia Eagles, producing a Buffalo Bills Win verdict.

Buffalo moved up two spots in the 2019 second round for offensive lineman Cody Ford, sending the Raiders No. 40 and No. 158. Ford started 29 games for Buffalo before being traded away. The Raiders selected cornerback Trayvon Mullen at No. 40 and used No. 158 as part of the move that produced receiver Hunter Renfrow.

Buffalo sent two fourth-round picks to Washington to move up for tight end Dawson Knox at No. 96. Knox became a long-term starter in the Bills' Josh Allen offense and earned a multiyear extension after developing into a reliable receiving and red-zone option. Washington selected Bryce Love and Wes Martin, but neither produced comparable sustained value for the franchise.

Buffalo sent veteran tackle Marshall Newhouse to Carolina for a future conditional seventh-round pick that became No. 236 in 2021. The Bills eventually used that selection on Jack Anderson, but he did not become a meaningful Buffalo regular-season contributor. Newhouse gave Carolina immediate offensive-line insurance during an injury-hit season, so the Panthers received slightly more realized value.

Buffalo Bills received 2019 5th round pick (158th overall subsequently traded, Michael Jackson) in the deal with Las Vegas Raiders. The Bills retained a meaningful fifth-round asset that remained useful in later draft movement. Turning a reserve quarterback into that level of draft capital created a strong return. That outcome supports a B+ for Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills Win verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

Buffalo Bills received Corey Coleman in the exchange with Cleveland Browns. Buffalo released Corey Coleman before the 2018 regular season, so the Bills received no regular-season production from the acquisition. Against Cleveland Browns' return of 2020 7th round pick (236th overall subsequently traded, Vernon Scott), that outcome supports an F grade. The transaction is judged as Cleveland Browns Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Buffalo's trade up for Josh Allen became the move that ended the Bills' long quarterback search. The Buccaneers received a useful package and added real defensive talent, but Buffalo landed the franchise quarterback who turned the team into a perennial contender. That makes the Bills the clear winner. Tampa Bay got real value, but Buffalo got the quarterback who changed the franchise's ceiling.

Buffalo moved from No. 22 to No. 16 for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, sending Baltimore a third-round pick and swapping a fifth-rounder into the deal. Edmunds became an immediate starter, made two Pro Bowls and spent five seasons directing the Bills’ defense. Baltimore’s return became even larger through subsequent moves, helping create the picks used on Hayden Hurst, Mark Andrews, Kenny Young and other players while also feeding the later Lamar Jackson trade package.

Buffalo traded Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland for the first pick of the third round, No. 65, creating valuable draft flexibility while moving on at quarterback. The Bills later packaged No. 65 with No. 22 to climb to No. 16 for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Taylor opened 2018 as Cleveland’s starter but made only three starts before Baker Mayfield took over, leaving Buffalo with the stronger long-term return.

Buffalo traded Cordy Glenn, pick No. 21 and a fifth-rounder to Cincinnati for No. 12 and a sixth-round pick. The move cleared Glenn’s contract and, more importantly, moved the Bills into position to make their later jump to No. 7 for Josh Allen. Cincinnati gained a starting left tackle and selected Billy Price at No. 21, but neither became a long-term foundation piece. Buffalo’s draft-board leverage proved far more valuable in hindsight.

Carolina sold Kelvin Benjamin at the right moment, sending the former first-round receiver to Buffalo for 2018 third- and seventh-round picks. Benjamin never regained his early Carolina production and was released by Buffalo the following season. The Panthers turned a declining veteran into two draft assets, later using those selections on Rashaan Gaulden and Andre Smith, and avoided carrying the receiver through the rest of his downturn.

Jacksonville acquired Marcell Dareus from Buffalo during the 2017 season for a conditional draft pick that became a 2018 fifth-rounder. Dareus helped fix a struggling run defense and contributed to the Jaguars' AFC Championship Game run. Buffalo cleared a massive contract, selected Wyatt Teller with the eventual No. 166 pick and later traded Teller in a package that produced more draft value, including the selection used on kicker Tyler Bass.

Carolina acquired cornerback Kevon Seymour from Buffalo for receiver Kaelin Clay and a 2019 seventh-round pick. Seymour gave the Panthers useful secondary depth, appearing in 29 games over two seasons and making several starts. Buffalo quickly moved on from Clay, who was reclaimed by Carolina, but kept the future pick and eventually selected tight end Tommy Sweeney at No. 228. The pick's multi-year roster value gives Buffalo a narrow edge.

Kansas City acquired Reggie Ragland from Buffalo for a 2019 fourth-round pick. Ragland became a regular Chiefs linebacker, starting 32 games over three seasons and remaining on the roster for the Super Bowl LIV championship year. Buffalo later packaged the acquired No. 131 selection with pick No. 112 to move up for Dawson Knox, who became a long-term starting tight end and Pro Bowler. Both sides created meaningful value.

Los Angeles added Sammy Watkins and the sixth-round pick that became Sebastian Joseph-Day, while Buffalo received cornerback E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-rounder. Watkins supplied eight touchdowns during the Rams' 2017 turnaround, and Joseph-Day later became a multi-year starter. Buffalo got one useful season from Gaines and then used the second-round pick as part of the package that moved up for Josh Allen.

Philadelphia acquired Ronald Darby for Jordan Matthews and a 2018 third-round pick that Buffalo used on Harrison Phillips. Darby returned from an early ankle injury to start seven regular-season games and all three postseason games for the Super Bowl LII champions. Phillips became a useful Bills defensive tackle, while Matthews lasted only one season in Buffalo. The championship contribution gives Philadelphia the stronger result.

Buffalo Bills received conditional 2019 seventh-round pick (not conveyed) from Los Angeles Chargers. Buffalo's return was a conditional 2019 seventh-round choice, but the condition was not met and no pick was conveyed. The Bills therefore received no usable draft asset from the exchange. That outcome supports a D grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Buffalo sent picks No. 75, No. 149 and No. 156 to Atlanta to move up to No. 63 for offensive tackle Dion Dawkins. The Falcons selected Duke Riley, Damontae Kazee and Brian Hill, receiving useful contributions from Kazee and rotational work from the others. Dawkins became a long-term Bills starter, team leader and five-time Pro Bowler, making him the clear best player produced by the exchange.

Buffalo moved up from No. 44 to No. 37 in the 2017 second round and selected receiver Zay Jones, also receiving pick No. 149. The Rams turned the return into tight end Gerald Everett at No. 44 and safety John Johnson III at No. 91. Jones had a productive 2018 season in Buffalo, but Los Angeles received two multi-year contributors from the trade and ultimately created the stronger direct return.

Kansas City's trade up for Patrick Mahomes became one of the most important draft moves in NFL history. The Chiefs paid a first-round pick, a third-round pick, and a future first to move up for their quarterback. Buffalo received real assets, but Kansas City acquired the player who launched a dynasty. Buffalo received useful assets, but Kansas City acquired the defining quarterback of the era.

Buffalo Bills received Lerentee McCray from Green Bay Packers. Buffalo received Lerentee McCray and used him for one season in reserve and special-teams work. The Bills received immediate roster depth but only a short tenure. That outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Green Bay Packers Win, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Buffalo moved up eight spots for Reggie Ragland, sending Chicago No. 49, No. 117 and a 2017 fourth-rounder. Ragland tore his ACL before his rookie season and was traded to Kansas City a year later. Chicago repeatedly moved the acquired picks, with the return helping produce Cody Whitehair, Deon Bush, Nick Kwiatkoski and Eddie Jackson. That depth of value overwhelms Buffalo's brief ownership of Ragland.

Buffalo traded quarterback Matt Cassel and a 2017 seventh-round pick to Dallas on September 22, 2015 for a 2017 fifth-round pick. The Bills eventually used No. 171 on Nathan Peterman, while Dallas later used No. 228 on Joey Ivie. Cassel provided short-term quarterback depth for the Cowboys, but neither team's draft outcome became a durable success. The realized value on both sides remained modest.

Buffalo acquired LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso and received the best direct player in the exchange. McCoy spent four seasons with the Bills, topped 1,000 rushing yards twice and made multiple Pro Bowls. Philadelphia got one season from Alonso before packaging him with Byron Maxwell and a first-round pick to move from No. 13 to No. 8 in 2016. That later draft maneuver salvaged meaningful value, but Buffalo still won the original swap.

Minnesota sent Matt Cassel and a 2015 sixth-round pick to Buffalo for a 2015 fifth and a 2016 seventh. The key was what the Vikings did next: they flipped the fifth-rounder, No. 137, to Atlanta for Nos. 146 and 185, selecting Stefon Diggs and Tyrus Thompson. Cassel barely figured into Buffalo's season, while the pick chain helped Minnesota land a franchise-changing receiver.

Buffalo sent 2014 fifth-round No. 149 to Tampa Bay and received seventh-round No. 221 plus a 2015 fifth-round pick that became No. 137 before Buffalo traded it again. Tampa selected Kevin Pamphile at No. 149; Buffalo took Randell Johnson at No. 221. Later Matt Cassel and Grady Jarrett links are separate downstream moves, and Tampa's direct return proved stronger.

Buffalo acquired Bryce Brown and pick No. 237, which became tackle Seantrel Henderson, while Philadelphia received No. 224, used on Beau Allen, plus a conditional future fourth-rounder. Henderson started 27 games for Buffalo and gave the Bills real value, so this was not a bad return. Philadelphia still comes out ahead because Allen became a useful rotation defender and the Eagles also secured another meaningful draft asset.

Buffalo paid a premium to move from No. 9 to No. 4 for Sammy Watkins, but Watkins delivered 2,459 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in three Bills seasons before being traded for E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-round pick. Cleveland received No. 9 plus 2015 first- and fourth-rounders, yet the chain produced Justin Gilbert, Cameron Erving and Ibraheim Campbell with limited Browns impact. Hindsight favors Buffalo despite the expensive original price.

Buffalo traded veteran receiver Stevie Johnson to San Francisco for a conditional 2015 selection that became a fourth-round pick. Johnson caught 35 passes for 435 yards and three touchdowns in his lone 49ers season before his release. Buffalo later used the acquired draft asset within another transaction, creating flexibility without producing a major long-term Bills contributor from the original return.

Buffalo acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from Tampa Bay for a single 2014 sixth-round pick, No. 185. Williams offered a familiar target with local ties but did not make a lasting impact for the Bills, limiting the practical value of the acquisition. Tampa Bay's draft return also produced little, so Buffalo's side fits a C grade rather than a directional win.

Buffalo moved from No. 8 to No. 16 and added three more picks, selecting EJ Manuel, Kiko Alonso, Marquise Goodwin and Chris Gragg. Manuel did not solve quarterback, but Alonso delivered an exceptional rookie season and later became the trade asset used to acquire LeSean McCoy, while Goodwin provided four seasons of speed. St. Louis used No. 8 on Tavon Austin and No. 71 on T.J. McDonald. Both teams found contributors, with Buffalo's depth and Alonso's later value providing the edge.

Buffalo acquired quarterback Tarvaris Jackson from Seattle in August 2012 for a conditional 2013 selection that settled as the seventh-round pick at No. 214. Jackson never appeared in a regular-season game for Buffalo and was released in June 2013. Seattle later included No. 214 in the Percy Harvin trade, giving the Seahawks clear realized value.

Buffalo gave Washington pick No. 71 and seventh-rounder No. 217 to move up two spots for receiver T.J. Graham at No. 69. Graham started 17 games across two Bills seasons but finished that stint with only 54 catches for 683 yards and three touchdowns. Washington selected guard Josh LeRibeus and safety Jordan Bernstine. LeRibeus supplied reserve-line value, while Bernstine's career was derailed immediately by injury, leaving neither side with a major return.

Buffalo moved veteran receiver Lee Evans to Baltimore for a 2012 fourth-round pick that became cornerback Ron Brooks. Evans played only nine regular-season games for the Ravens and caught four passes for 74 yards before his Baltimore tenure ended. Brooks became a multi-year depth and special-teams contributor, giving Buffalo the better return even though the pick did not become a major starter.

Seattle acquired Marshawn Lynch from Buffalo for a 2011 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2012 choice that became a fifth-rounder. Lynch became a franchise icon, rushing for 6,347 yards and 57 touchdowns during his initial Seahawks run while helping Seattle win Super Bowl XLVIII. Buffalo received Chris Hairston and Tank Carder from the picks, but their value could not approach Lynch's transformational impact.

Buffalo received the 209th pick in the 2010 draft and selected Levi Brown. Buffalo received the 209th pick in the 2010 draft and used it on Levi Brown. Brown appeared only briefly for the Bills, so the seventh-round choice produced very little regular-season value. The pick gave Buffalo a chance to replenish the roster, but the actual outcome did not match the contribution Detroit received from Simpson. In hindsight, that result supports a D+ grade for Buffalo Bills in a deal ultimately judged as Detroit Lions Win.

Buffalo traded picks No. 75 and No. 110 to Dallas for No. 51 and selected guard Andy Levitre. Levitre started every game in four Bills seasons, giving Buffalo 64 consecutive starts before leaving in free agency, and eventually started all 143 games of his NFL career. Dallas selected Robert Brewster and Victor Butler; Butler became a useful rotational linebacker, but the Cowboys' combined return did not approach Levitre's reliability.

Philadelphia acquired Jason Peters from Buffalo for a 2009 first-round pick, a 2009 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2010 sixth-rounder that ultimately conveyed. Peters made seven Pro Bowls as an Eagle and became one of the defining left tackles of his generation. Buffalo used the first-round selection on nine-year starting center and Pro Bowler Eric Wood, giving both clubs substantial long-term value.

Buffalo and Indianapolis announced a deadline deal on October 14, 2008 that would have sent defensive tackle John McCargo to the Colts for a conditional draft pick. The exchange never became effective: McCargo failed Indianapolis' physical, the trade was voided, and his rights returned to Buffalo. No player or draft choice ultimately changed clubs.

Buffalo acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud from Jacksonville for picks No. 71 and No. 143. Stroud immediately became a full-time Bills starter and produced 150 tackles with 7.5 sacks across three seasons. Jacksonville later reused both picks in additional draft-day moves, but those chains did not produce comparable long-term Jaguars value. Buffalo received the best direct football asset and clearly won.

Buffalo traded defensive tackle Darwin Walker to Chicago in July 2007 for a 2008 fifth-round pick that became No. 143 overall. The Bills later packaged No. 143 with a third-round pick to acquire Marcus Stroud from Jacksonville.

Buffalo moved from No. 43 to No. 34 in the 2007 draft and selected linebacker Paul Posluszny, sending Detroit picks No. 43 and No. 74. Posluszny became a full-time Bills starter whenever healthy and started 45 games across four Buffalo seasons. Detroit selected quarterback Drew Stanton at No. 43 and later used No. 74 in another trade. Stanton offered backup value, but Buffalo received the stronger direct football return from Posluszny.

Buffalo Bills Buffalo obtained Darwin Walker plus the conditional 2008 seventh-round choice that became No. 224 Steve Johnson. Walker never became Buffalo's on-field payoff, but Johnson developed into a long-term starter and a major receiving return from the acquired draft asset. The supported hindsight grade is A-. That mark weighs only value tied directly to this transaction and keeps the result proportional to the deal's cost. Against Philadelphia Eagles, the final verdict is Buffalo Bills Win.

Baltimore acquired Willis McGahee from Buffalo for 2007 picks No. 92 and No. 239 plus a 2008 third-rounder that became No. 71. McGahee gave the Ravens four productive seasons and a Pro Bowl year. Buffalo selected Trent Edwards, received little from C.J. Ah You, and later used the future third as a major piece of the Marcus Stroud trade. Both clubs turned the exchange into substantial multi-year value.

Buffalo Bills received Anthony Hargrove from St. Louis Rams, giving up 2007 5th round pick (148th overall subsequently traded, Kolby Smith). The supported return is a 2007 fifth-rounder at No. 148, not a 2008 choice. The return supports a C+ grade because the value directly tied to this deal fits that mark. The final verdict is Even Trade.

Buffalo acquired linebacker Courtney Watson from New Orleans for tight end Tim Euhus in June 2006. Neither player generated regular-season production for the team that acquired him. Watson's recorded NFL appearances ended with the Saints, and Euhus later played for Pittsburgh and Arizona rather than New Orleans. The swap gave both clubs a change-of-scenery evaluation without producing game-day value, leaving the deal essentially even at a low grade.

Buffalo sent the 42nd and 73rd picks to Chicago to move to No. 26 in the 2006 draft for defensive tackle John McCargo. McCargo played only 44 career games, started once and never became the interior force Buffalo envisioned. Chicago used No. 42 on Danieal Manning, who became a versatile defensive back and elite returner, and No. 73 on Dusty Dvoracek, making the Bears' trade-down an emphatic win.

Houston sent the 134th pick in the 2006 draft to Buffalo for veteran receiver Eric Moulds. Moulds gave the Texans one season, catching 57 passes for 557 yards and a touchdown. Buffalo used No. 134 on defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who spent 13 seasons with the Bills and reached six Pro Bowls. That enormous difference in longevity and impact makes Buffalo the clear winner.

Buffalo traded running back Travis Henry to Tennessee in July 2005 for a 2006 third-round pick that became No. 70 overall, cornerback Ashton Youboty. Youboty spent five seasons with the Bills, appearing in 43 games and making seven starts. Buffalo obtained a legitimate young defensive contributor for a back who had lost the starting job, but Henry's 2006 breakout in Tennessee gave the Titans the higher peak return.

Buffalo traded three selections, including its 2005 first-rounder, to Dallas for the No. 22 pick in 2004 and drafted quarterback J.P. Losman. Losman started 33 games over five Bills seasons but never stabilized the position. The price became Julius Jones, Sean Ryan and Marcus Spears, giving Dallas a starting running back, a useful tight end and a long-term defensive starter.

Buffalo received the 207th pick in the 2004 draft and selected Dylan McFarland. Buffalo received the 207th pick in the 2004 draft and used it on Dylan McFarland. McFarland appeared in only three games for the Bills, leaving the seventh-round return with very little realized value. The draft choice was a reasonable asset to collect, but the eventual player outcome did not reward Buffalo's side of the deal. In hindsight, that result supports a D+ grade for Buffalo Bills in a deal ultimately judged as Detroit Lions Win.

Green Bay moved from pick 94 to 79 in the 2003 third round for defensive lineman Kenny Peterson, sending Buffalo the 94th and 127th selections. Peterson never became a major Packers contributor. Buffalo used the picks on linebacker Angelo Crowell and receiver Sam Aiken. Crowell developed into a multi-year defensive starter, while Aiken supplied depth and special-teams value. Landing two useful players gives Buffalo a decisive win.

Atlanta acquired Peerless Price from Buffalo for the 23rd pick in the 2003 draft after Price's breakout 1,252-yard season. Price never reproduced that level as the Falcons' featured receiver and lasted only two seasons in Atlanta. Buffalo used the pick on Willis McGahee, who became a two-time Pro Bowler and productive starting back, giving the Bills a substantial long-term advantage.

Buffalo acquired tight end Mark Campbell from Cleveland for the 2004 sixth-round pick that became No. 176, Kirk Chambers. Campbell played 42 games with 33 starts for the Bills over three seasons, catching 70 passes for 681 yards and six touchdowns. Chambers appeared in 21 games for Cleveland without a start before moving on. Cleveland received usable depth, but Buffalo obtained the substantially more productive player and wins the trade.

Buffalo acquired Drew Bledsoe from New England for its 2003 first-round pick, giving the Bills an established quarterback after Tom Brady had displaced him. Bledsoe immediately threw for 4,359 yards and reached the Pro Bowl, but Buffalo never made the playoffs during his three seasons. New England later used the acquired No. 14 pick as the key asset in moving up for defensive lineman Ty Warren.

Buffalo moved up from the third round to pick No. 61 in the 2002 draft, sending San Francisco selections 69 and 102. The Bills selected defensive end Ryan Denney, who became a long-term rotational defender. San Francisco used its two picks on linebacker Saleem Rasheed and kicker Jeff Chandler, giving the 49ers two usable contributors from the move down.

Houston and Buffalo swapped Jay Foreman and Charlie Rogers shortly before the 2002 draft. Foreman immediately became a centerpiece of the expansion Texans’ defense, starting all 16 games in each of his first two Houston seasons and recording 143 combined tackles in 2002. Rogers gave Buffalo a full season of return work and scored on a kickoff return, but his Bills tenure lasted only that year. Houston received the more durable impact.

Buffalo acquired defensive lineman David Bowens from Green Bay for tight end Bobby Collins in August 2001. Bowens did not record a regular-season appearance for the Bills and soon continued his career elsewhere. Collins at least appeared in four games for Green Bay and caught one pass for three yards. The production was negligible, but it was still more direct value than Buffalo received, giving the Packers a very modest hindsight win.

Buffalo moved down from No. 14 to No. 21 in the 2001 first round and added Tampa Bay's second-round pick. The Bills still landed cornerback Nate Clements, who became a Pro Bowler and intercepted 23 passes in six Buffalo seasons. They then flipped the added No. 51 selection to Denver for picks used on Travis Henry and Brandon Spoon. Tampa Bay used No. 14 on long-time starting tackle Kenyatta Walker.

Buffalo sent the 51st pick to Denver and received Nos. 58 and 110, selecting running back Travis Henry and linebacker Brandon Spoon. Henry became a Pro Bowler and rushed for 6,086 career yards with 38 touchdowns. Denver used No. 51 on defensive end Paul Toviessi, whose professional career never produced comparable on-field value. The Bills turned one second-round slot into a productive featured back plus an additional starter-level opportunity.

Buffalo sent veteran linebacker Chris Spielman to the expansion Browns for past considerations. Spielman retired before Cleveland played its first regular-season game after another neck injury, so Buffalo gave up no subsequent Browns on-field production. The exact value of the past considerations is unclear, making Buffalo's win real but modest rather than a major asset haul.

Buffalo traded running back Darick Holmes to Green Bay for a 1999 fourth-round pick that became tight end Bobby Collins. Holmes immediately supplied 565 yards from scrimmage in 11 games for an injury-hit Packers backfield. Collins later played 26 games for Buffalo, catching 15 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Both returns were useful but limited, making the exchange essentially even.

Jacksonville sent quarterback Rob Johnson to Buffalo in February 1998 for the ninth and 101st picks. The Jaguars used No. 9 on Fred Taylor, who became the franchise's career rushing leader, and No. 101 on Tavian Banks. Buffalo paid a premium for a quarterback who never became a stable long-term starter, making this one of Jacksonville's most favorable trades.

The Raiders sent reserve quarterback Billy Joe Hobert to Buffalo for the 85th pick in the 1997 draft. Hobert appeared in only two games for the Bills, throwing for 133 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions before his Buffalo stay ended. Oakland used the pick on tackle Tim Kohn, who did not produce an NFL career, making this a modest Raiders win rather than a major success.

Arizona acquired defensive back James Williams from Buffalo in March 1994 for a 1995 fourth-round selection. Williams played 15 games for the Cardinals that season and provided useful short-term defensive depth. Buffalo used the returned No. 113 pick on Justin Armour, who remained in the NFL for multiple seasons and produced the longer downstream contribution from the exchanged asset.

Buffalo traded defensive lineman Leon Seals to Philadelphia in 1992 for the 1993 fifth-round pick that became No. 136 Mike Devlin. Seals gave the Eagles veteran depth, while Buffalo converted the deal into an offensive lineman who went on to a substantial NFL career. The Bills receive a modest value edge, though neither side gained a franchise-changing asset.

Buffalo and New England exchanged late-round draft capital during the 1990 draft. The Bills received seventh-round selections No. 166 and No. 170, used on Brent Griffith and Brent Collins. New England received twelfth-rounder No. 322, Blaine Rose, plus a 1991 fourth-round pick that became No. 110. Neither side generated a major direct player payoff from the assets acquired.

Buffalo acquired safety Leonard Smith from Phoenix in September 1988 for cornerback Roland Mitchell and a 1989 sixth-round pick. Smith became an immediate starter and played 60 games with 59 starts over four Bills seasons, recording eight interceptions while helping anchor the secondary during Buffalo's rise to four straight Super Bowls.

Buffalo Bills received 1989 conditional draft pick (selection not identified) from Philadelphia Eagles, while Philadelphia Eagles received Mark Traynowicz in the 1988-08-22 deal. In hindsight, Buffalo Bills's return did not separate far enough from Philadelphia Eagles to justify a higher grade. The final grades are C for Buffalo Bills and C for Philadelphia Eagles, producing a verdict of Even Trade. The rating reflects the documented package, the certainty of the consideration, and the football value that can actually be assigned in hindsight.

Buffalo acquired veteran defensive lineman Art Still plus the future eighth-round selection used on Marvcus Patton. Still started 31 games for the Bills across 1988 and 1989, while Patton later developed into a significant Buffalo linebacker and starter. Receiving two meaningful contributors from the package gave the Bills strong aggregate value and enough depth of return to edge Kansas City.

Buffalo Bills received 1989 seventh round pick (#173-Brian Jordan) in the 1988-06-13 exchange with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving up Eugene Marve. Buffalo converted Eugene Marve into a 1989 seventh-round selection, No. 173, used on Brian Jordan. That return supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Buffalo obtained the rights to linebacker Cornelius Bennett on October 31, 1987, surrendering Greg Bell plus first-round picks in 1988 and 1989 and a 1989 second-rounder. Bennett became a centerpiece of the Bills defense during the franchise's Super Bowl run, making the premium package worthwhile despite the substantial price Buffalo paid.

The 1987 three-team blockbuster sent Eric Dickerson from the Rams to Indianapolis and the rights to Cornelius Bennett from the Colts to Buffalo. Los Angeles received Greg Bell, Owen Gill, and six draft choices: first-rounders that became Gaston Green, Aaron Cox, and Cleveland Gary, plus second-rounders Fred Strickland, Frank Stams, and Darryl Henley. All three clubs received substantial assets.

Buffalo Bills received 1988 conditional late-round pick (selection not identified) from New York Jets, while New York Jets received Don Smith in the 1987-09-07 deal. In hindsight, Buffalo Bills's return did not separate far enough from New York Jets to justify a higher grade. The final grades are C for Buffalo Bills and C for New York Jets, producing a verdict of Even Trade. The rating reflects the documented package, the certainty of the consideration, and the football value that can actually be assigned in hindsight.

San Diego acquired defensive back David Brandon and Buffalo's 1988 fourth-round pick, later used on Stacy Searels, while the Bills received wide receiver Trumaine Johnson and a 1988 seventh-rounder that became Bo Wright. Contemporary reporting and team histories agree on the package. Johnson's Buffalo stay was brief, and the Chargers received both a player and the substantially earlier draft choice, giving San Diego the stronger overall return.

The Chargers acquired safety Martin Bayless from Buffalo for defensive back Wayne Davis in late August 1987. Bayless immediately started all 12 games of the strike-shortened season and remained a regular Chargers starter for years, while Davis produced a much smaller Buffalo return. The one-for-one player swap generated clear long-term value for San Diego.

Buffalo re-signed veteran cornerback Charles Romes and traded him to Kansas City in July 1987 for a low-round 1988 choice that became twelfth-round No. 309 John Driscoll. Romes did not produce a lasting Chiefs tenure, while Buffalo at least converted an outgoing veteran into draft capital. The stakes were small, but the Bills extracted the more useful return.

Denver sent receiver Clint Sampson to Buffalo for a future draft choice in July 1987. Contemporary accounts identify the exchange but do not establish the selection's eventual slot or player. Sampson's NFL playing record ends with Denver in 1986. An even, low-confidence grade reflects Buffalo's lack of a playing return and the limits on valuing Denver's compensation.

Buffalo Bills received 1987 eighth round pick (#209-Bruce Mesner) in the 1987-04-29 exchange with Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. Buffalo and the Raiders exchanged late-round 1987 draft positions, with Buffalo using No. 209 on Bruce Mesner and the Raiders receiving the tenth-round choice used on Rob Harrison. The documented result supports a C+ grade for Buffalo Bills. The overall verdict is Buffalo Bills Win, based on realized value rather than hypothetical upside.

Buffalo moved down from No. 3 to No. 8 during the first round of the 1987 draft and added a second-round pick. The Bills selected linebacker Shane Conlan at No. 8, and the extra second-round asset was later used in the sequence that moved Buffalo up for cornerback Nate Odomes. Conlan became a three-time Pro Bowler, giving Buffalo a major win from trading down.

Buffalo moved up seven spots in the second round of the 1987 draft to select cornerback Nate Odomes at No. 29, sending Tampa Bay No. 36 and a fourth-round choice. Odomes started 107 regular-season games for the Bills, earned two Pro Bowl selections, and became a key member of Buffalo's Super Bowl defenses. The move-up delivered exactly the kind of long-term starter Buffalo targeted.

Buffalo moved up in the 1987 draft and used the acquired fourth-round selection on defensive lineman Leon Seals, who became a multi-year Bills contributor and finished his career with 14.5 sacks. Washington received two later picks, most notably the fifth-round choice used on Timmy Smith. Smith's regular-season career was brief, but his postseason peak helped make the return far more meaningful than his career totals alone suggest.

Buffalo's return ultimately became the 1988 eighth-round selection used on Jeff Wright after Roger Caron's retirement triggered replacement consideration. Wright became a seven-season Bills defensive lineman, started 67 games, recorded 31.5 sacks, and played on all four Buffalo Super Bowl teams. That level of sustained production from late-round compensation turned the transaction into a major long-term success.

Minnesota acquired veteran safety Steve Freeman from Buffalo on March 11, 1987 for past considerations whose details were not identified in the surviving transaction record. Freeman appeared in 12 games for the Vikings that season and recorded 12 combined tackles, providing short-term veteran depth. Because Buffalo's consideration is not quantified, the modest known return supports a cautious Even Trade rather than a forced winner.

San Francisco acquired running back Joe Cribbs from Buffalo on August 19, 1986 for a 1987 third-round pick and a 1988 fifth-round pick. Cribbs gave the 49ers two useful seasons, totaling 890 rushing yards with six rushing touchdowns plus receiving production. Buffalo used No. 78 on Jamie Mueller, a 57-game fullback and 32-game starter, while No. 135 Kirk Roach never played an NFL regular-season game, balancing the returns.

Buffalo Bills received 1986 eighth round pick (#202-Tony Furjanic) and 1986 twelfth round pick (#313-Brian McClure). Buffalo used the acquired picks on Tony Furjanic and Brian McClure. Neither selection developed into enough sustained NFL value to make the Bills' side of the exchange stand out. Compared with Kansas City Chiefs' return, the result supports a C grade and fits the Even Trade verdict.

Buffalo moved up to No. 20 in the 1986 draft and selected tackle Will Wolford, also receiving a 1987 tenth-rounder. San Francisco received picks No. 29 and No. 56, using the latter on fullback Tom Rathman. Wolford became a Pro Bowl-caliber blind-side tackle for Buffalo, while Rathman became an important piece of championship offenses, making the exchange valuable for both clubs.

Atlanta Falcons received 1986 sixth round pick (#154-Floyd Dixon) in the 1985-08-20 exchange with Buffalo Bills, giving up Don Smith. Atlanta received the 1986 sixth-round choice that became No. 154, Floyd Dixon, after moving veteran defensive end Don Smith. That return supports a C grade for Atlanta Falcons. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Buffalo Bills received 1986 twelfth round pick (#321-Derek Christian) in the 1985-08-20 exchange with Green Bay Packers, giving up Preston Dennard. Buffalo received the 1986 twelfth-round selection used at No. 321 on Derek Christian. That return supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Green Bay Packers Win, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Buffalo Bills received 1986 eleventh round pick (#282-Billy Witt) from Indianapolis Colts, sending Matt Kofler the other way. Neither return created meaningful long-term value, making an even grade reasonable. That outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.

Buffalo acquired Vince Ferragamo and a 1986 third-round pick, No. 77 overall, from the Rams for tight end Tony Hunter on July 18, 1985. Ferragamo struggled badly as Buffalo’s quarterback, while No. 77 became Leonard Burton, a reserve lineman. Hunter had one useful Rams season. Neither side turned the exchange into substantial lasting value, producing a modest draw.

Buffalo sent veteran quarterback Joe Ferguson to Detroit and received a 1986 seventh-round pick that became Mark Pike. Ferguson's Lions tenure produced only eight games and one start in 1985, while Pike spent his entire 13-year NFL career in Buffalo, played 173 games and became the franchise's special-teams tackles leader. A late pick becoming that durable a contributor makes this a decisive Bills win.

Green Bay moved from No. 14 to No. 7 in the 1985 draft, sending Buffalo the 14th pick and No. 42 while receiving a future fourth-rounder in addition to No. 7. The Packers selected long-term tackle Ken Ruettgers and later landed pass rusher Tim Harris with the future pick. Buffalo received Derrick Burroughs and Chris Burkett, but Green Bay's return proved substantially stronger.

Buffalo sent guard Jon Borchardt to Seattle on April 26, 1985, for a 1986 seventh-round selection, No. 180 overall. The Bills used the pick on tight end Butch Rolle, who spent six seasons in Buffalo and became a productive red-zone specialist. Borchardt supplied Seattle with reserve line depth for three seasons, but Buffalo extracted the more durable return.

Cleveland secured Buffalo's first selection in the 1985 supplemental draft and used it on Bernie Kosar, sending a broad package that ultimately included first-, third- and sixth-round draft value plus the unresolved Chip Banks obligation. Kosar became Cleveland's long-term starting quarterback and led deep playoff runs, while Buffalo converted the compensation into several useful assets. Cleveland still gained the more important centerpiece.

Buffalo acquired defensive back Lawrence Johnson from Cleveland on October 9, 1984 for a future draft choice. Johnson immediately appeared in 10 games for the Bills, then played 16 more in 1985 and six in 1987, totaling 32 Buffalo games and six starts. The compensation is tied by the draft ledger to Cleveland's 1986 seventh-round pick, No. 167, used on Jim Meyer, giving Buffalo the stronger realized return.

Buffalo acquired cornerback Rod Hill and Dallas' 1985 fifth-round selection, which became Jimmy Teal, while sending Dallas its own 1985 fifth-rounder plus 1986 sixth- and conditional twelfth-round choices. Dallas converted those picks into Matt Darwin, Thornton Chandler and Chris Duliban. None became a franchise star, but Dallas extracted three draft assets from a depth-player exchange and produced the cleaner cumulative return.

Buffalo Bills received 1986 seventh round pick (#168-Bob Williams) in the deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Buffalo used the seventh-round choice on Bob Williams, who did not play an NFL regular-season game. The Bills recovered draft capital, but the selected player produced no direct league value. That outcome supports a D for Buffalo Bills. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

The Rams traded wide receiver Preston Dennard to Buffalo in 1984 for a 1985 fifth-round pick. Los Angeles used that No. 113 selection on Kevin Greene, who developed into a Hall of Fame pass rusher and one of the most productive sack artists in NFL history. Dennard gave Buffalo one useful season, but the draft choice's extraordinary conversion makes this a decisive Rams victory.

Buffalo traded veteran cornerback Mario Clark to San Francisco on July 16, 1984 for a 1985 fourth-round pick, No. 112 overall. The Bills used the selection on Dale Hellestrae, who had only a small early role in Buffalo before later building a long career elsewhere. Clark contributed immediately to San Francisco’s championship season, giving the 49ers the better direct return.

Buffalo moved down from No. 14 to No. 26 in the 1984 draft and also received third-round picks Nos. 79 and 82 from Miami. The Bills selected Greg Bell, Sean McNanie and Speedy Neal. Bell immediately rushed for 1,100 yards and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Miami got Jackie Shipp, a useful multi-year starter, but Buffalo’s three-player return created greater total value.

On 1983-08-13, Buffalo Bills received Mikell Williams, while Los Angeles Chargers received Lou Piccone, undisclosed draft pick. The hindsight verdict is Los Angeles Chargers Win, with Buffalo Bills graded C and Los Angeles Chargers graded C+. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while treating conditional terms and later draft outcomes as context rather than as assets exchanged directly on trade day.

Buffalo acquired veteran safety Tommy Myers from New Orleans on August 4, 1983 for an undisclosed future draft choice. Contemporary reporting confirms the player-for-pick structure, but Myers did not make the Bills' regular-season roster and was released on August 29. The exact draft choice sent to New Orleans is not identified in the reviewed record.

Buffalo moved veteran guard Reggie McKenzie to Seattle for a 1985 twelfth-round pick, No. 333 overall, later used on Paul Woodside. The Bills did recover an asset from an aging lineman, but twelfth-round capital carried limited expected value. McKenzie then provided Seattle with starting snaps during a breakthrough period, making Buffalo’s return clearly weaker in hindsight.

Buffalo moved a future third-round pick to New Orleans for the 1983 fourth-round choice used on defensive end Jimmy Payne. Payne spent his rookie year on injured reserve and never developed into an NFL contributor. The cost became meaningful when the Saints used Buffalo's 1984 third-rounder on safety Terry Hoage, who started 13 games with four interceptions for New Orleans in 1985.

St. Louis sent Buffalo the 1982 fourth-round pick used on Van Williams and received Buffalo's 1983 third-rounder. The Cardinals quickly flipped that future choice to New Orleans for veteran defensive end Elois Grooms. Grooms started 26 games for St. Louis from 1982 through 1984 and produced 7.5 sacks in that span, giving the Cardinals a slight edge over Williams' useful return work for Buffalo.

Buffalo acquired veteran cornerback Lemar Parrish from Washington for a fifth-round pick. Parrish arrived with an accomplished career and gave the Bills an experienced secondary option, but the transaction came late in his playing years. The approved hindsight evaluation gives Buffalo a C+ grade, recognizing real veteran value without treating the acquisition as more durable than the draft asset sent away.

Denver moved down two spots in the 1982 first round, sending No. 19 to Buffalo for No. 21 and a fourth-rounder. The Broncos selected Gerald Willhite, who spent seven seasons in Denver with 1,688 rushing yards, 1,767 receiving yards and 22 total offensive touchdowns. Buffalo used No. 19 on Perry Tuttle, whose Bills career lasted only 16 games and 24 receptions.

Buffalo turned Tom Cousineau's rights into a premium package headlined by Cleveland's 1983 first-round pick, which became No. 14 overall and Jim Kelly. Two additional future selections also went to Buffalo. Kelly's eventual Hall of Fame career and role in four consecutive AFC championship teams make this one of the clearest long-term wins in Bills trade history.

Seattle traded guard Tom Lynch to Buffalo on October 13, 1981, for a 1982 third-round pick that became No. 75 overall and tight end Pete Metzelaars. Metzelaars spent three seasons with the Seahawks before a long NFL career, giving Seattle useful player value from a meaningful Day 2 selection. That return surpassed Lynch’s comparatively limited starting impact in Buffalo.

Denver acquired Wade Manning from Buffalo for an eighth-round draft choice and immediately received useful roster value. Manning handled return duties and reserve receiving work for the Broncos during the 1981 and 1982 seasons. The draft asset later became associated with No. 216 George Peoples after additional movement, without producing comparable Buffalo value, giving Denver the modest advantage.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo received Wade Manning but moved him to Denver within days. The Bills therefore gained almost no sustained roster value from the original exchange. The D grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Dallas Cowboys, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Dallas Cowboys Win.

Buffalo sent running back Terry Miller to Cleveland for a 1982 seventh-round pick that became No. 171, Gary Anderson. Miller was released before appearing in a Browns regular-season game. Buffalo drafted Anderson but waived him before his rookie season, and his later success came elsewhere. Neither club realized meaningful team-specific production from the transaction.

Buffalo moved down five spots in the 1981 first round, sending No. 23 to the Raiders for No. 28 and a third-round selection. The Bills used those choices on Booker Moore and Robert Geathers, while the Raiders selected Curt Marsh at No. 23. None became a transformational NFL player, leaving the exchange without enough separation for a clear winner.

Buffalo Bills received Bill Simpson in the exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Simpson became an immediate and productive Buffalo safety. The Bills credited him with 113 tackles and four interceptions in 1981, giving the club substantial defensive value after the trade. The A- grade reflects the direct value Buffalo Bills realized from the deal, while the Even Trade call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

Cleveland acquired elite guard Joe DeLamielleure from Buffalo in September 1980 for second- and third-round draft choices. DeLamielleure became a regular on the Browns' offensive line and later reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Buffalo used the picks on Chris Williams and Eugene Marve, receiving some roster value but not enough to match the proven high-end lineman Cleveland obtained.

Buffalo Bills received Ron Jessie in the exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Jessie played 31 regular-season games for Buffalo across 1980 and 1981, catching 19 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. He gave the Bills two seasons of usable receiver depth. The B grade reflects the direct value Buffalo Bills realized from the deal, while the Buffalo Bills Win call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

Buffalo acquired veteran guard Conrad Dobler from New Orleans for the 1981 eighth-round pick that became No. 214, Gene Gladys. Dobler immediately became a starter, playing 30 games with 29 starts for the Bills across 1980 and 1981. New Orleans used the pick on Gladys, but available draft records credit him with no NFL regular-season games. Buffalo received the clearly stronger football return.

Seattle moved from No. 16 to No. 10 in the 1980 draft and selected defensive end Jacob Green, a future Seahawks Ring of Honor cornerstone. Buffalo moved back, took guard Jim Ritcher at No. 16, and added a third-round pick. Ritcher became a Bills Wall of Famer and started on four Super Bowl teams, making this a rare trade with major value on both sides.

Buffalo received veteran linebacker Phil Villapiano in the April 1980 swap and got several seasons of useful depth from him. That is a legitimate return and supports a C+ rather than a losing grade near the bottom of the scale. However, Bob Chandler immediately became a major receiving weapon for Oakland's championship team, creating a much larger impact.

Buffalo acquired linebacker Isiah Robertson and received four productive seasons from the established defender. Robertson appeared in 57 games for the Bills from 1979 through 1982 and intercepted seven passes, giving Buffalo a sustained veteran contribution. Los Angeles received the 1981 fourth-round selection used on George Lilja, whose most significant NFL work came after leaving the Rams.

On 1978-10-10, Buffalo Bills received undisclosed draft pick, while Washington Commanders received Jim Braxton. The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Buffalo Bills graded C+ and Washington Commanders graded C+. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and traceable football value, while leaving unresolved downstream pick identities out of the judgment.

Buffalo sent Dwight Harrison to the Colts in August 1978 and received a 1979 sixth-round pick, No. 141, plus cash. The draft choice became Mike Burrow, giving the Bills a traceable piece of future roster value in addition to the cash return. Buffalo's conversion of a veteran into multiple forms of compensation supports a B against the Colts' C+.

Buffalo Bills received Tom Ehlers, Tom Graham from Philadelphia Eagles. Buffalo received linebackers Tom Ehlers and Tom Graham. Both supplied only limited value for the Bills in 1978, so the player side of the exchange produced a modest and short-lived return. That outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Buffalo acquired veteran quarterback Bill Munson from the Chargers in August 1978 for a future seventh-round pick that became No. 175 and Chuck Loewen. Munson's Bills tenure produced limited value, while the Chargers preserved the draft asset and ultimately made the selection. The difference is modest, but the more durable asset outcome gives Los Angeles the edge.

Buffalo acquired Kevin Farrell from Philadelphia for cash consideration in 1978. Buffalo's own media guides confirm the transaction, but no supported Bills regular-season production could be traced to Farrell afterward. With the purchase price unidentified and the player producing no documented Buffalo return, the Bills realized little measurable value from the deal.

On 1978-07-27, Buffalo Bills received Bob Watts (Robert Watts), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received undisclosed future draft choice. The hindsight verdict is Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win, with Buffalo Bills graded D+ and Tampa Bay Buccaneers graded B-. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and traceable football value, while leaving unresolved downstream pick identities out of the judgment.

Buffalo traded O.J. Simpson to San Francisco for five draft choices spread across three drafts. The package included the 1979 No. 1 overall pick and the 1980 second-round selection used on Joe Cribbs. Not every pick became a Bills star, but the volume, premium position and later productive players gave Buffalo far more long-term value than Simpson provided the 49ers.

Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers completed this exchange on 1977-09-20. Buffalo Bills received Ron Schock, while Pittsburgh Steelers received Brian Spencer. The historical sources agree on the core package and transaction identity. In hindsight, With the package and date well established, the result comes down to realized production. The returns were modest and reasonably comparable, supporting matching grades. The final grades are C for Buffalo Bills and C for Pittsburgh Steelers, producing a Even Trade verdict.

Chicago received Billy Newsome; Buffalo received Connie Zelencik. Official team histories place the exchange on September 1, 1977, not August 31. Newsome started all 14 games at defensive end for Chicago that season, while Zelencik supplied Buffalo with a much smaller return. The hindsight grades are C+ for Buffalo Bills and B for Chicago Bears, producing a Chicago Bears Win verdict.

Buffalo acquired Lou Piccone from the Jets for a 1978 ninth-round pick that became No. 225 and Reggie Grant. Piccone stayed with the Bills for multiple seasons and contributed as a receiver and returner, while the Jets did not receive comparable value from the late selection. Buffalo therefore gained the stronger and more durable football return from the exchange.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo received the sixth-round selection and used it on Eric Smith. Smith did not provide regular-season value for the Bills, leaving the pick with little realized payoff. The D grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Philadelphia Eagles, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Philadelphia Eagles Win.

Buffalo Bills received 1978 seventh round pick (#183-Steve Powell) in the exchange with Houston Oilers. The return is graded B- after weighing the transaction cost and the practical value visible in hindsight. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Buffalo acquired Billy Newsome from the Jets for a 1978 sixth-round pick, then moved Newsome to Chicago before the season. The Jets used the pick on Bobby Jackson, actually No. 140 overall, not No. 141. Jackson became an eight-year Jets defensive back with 95 games, 90 starts and 21 interceptions. New York wins decisively, with draft records placing Jackson at No. 140 overall.

Denver acquired center Mike Montler from Buffalo for a 1979 second-round pick. Montler immediately started all 14 games for the 1977 Broncos team that reached Super Bowl XII, giving Denver valuable short-term line help. Buffalo later used No. 51 on Jim Haslett, the 1979 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and a long-term Bills starter. Haslett's career gives Buffalo the larger return.

Buffalo Bills received Bill Dunstan. Buffalo acquired Bill Dunstan, who appeared in 14 games for the Bills. That gave Buffalo a usable player return, but his one-season contribution did not create the strongest value in the exchange. Dunstan gave Buffalo a season of service, but Philadelphia's conversion of No. 198 into John Sanders produced the stronger and more durable return. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo acquired wide receiver Emmett Edwards from Houston during the 1976 season. Edwards caught two passes for 53 yards for the Bills, so the immediate return was small. The third-round choice sent to Houston became Rob Carpenter, a productive NFL runner, making Buffalo's brief receiving help expensive in hindsight.

Buffalo acquired wide receiver Bob Gaddis from Pittsburgh on September 6, 1976 for its 1977 tenth-round pick, No. 253. Gaddis appeared in two games for the Bills and contributed one six-yard punt return and one 16-yard kickoff return.

Buffalo traded Jeff Winans to Oakland for a 1977 third-round draft choice that the Bills later moved to Houston in the Emmett Edwards deal. Bills historical material supports the third-round return, while the exact direct connection to pick No. 84 is less certain. Buffalo still converted a player with little Oakland value into useful draft currency.

Buffalo traded veteran receiver J.D. Hill to Detroit for a 1977 first-round selection and used No. 12 on defensive lineman Phil Dokes. Dokes appeared in 22 games with 10 starts across only two NFL seasons, limiting the value Buffalo realized from the premium pick. Detroit received one season of meaningful starting receiver work from Hill before his Lions tenure ended.

Buffalo acquired defensive end Sherman White and got eight seasons of durable starting play, so this was a strong Bills transaction on its own terms. Cincinnati received Buffalo's 1977 first-round pick and selected Eddie Edwards at No. 3. Edwards became an even longer-tenured defensive-line fixture, playing 170 games with 84.5 career sacks. The Bengals win narrowly because their return was more impactful and durable.

Buffalo traded veteran defensive lineman Earl Edwards to Cleveland for the 1977 third- and sixth-round choices used on John Kimbrough and Ron Pruitt. Kimbrough supplied one useful season, including two receiving touchdowns and a punt-return score, while Pruitt never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The return was real but short-lived.

Buffalo Bills received 1976 ninth round pick (#241-Jeff Turner), while Los Angeles Chargers received Halvor Hagen. San Diego acquired Halvor Hagen while Buffalo received ninth-round No. 241, Jeff Turner. The supported history provides enough detail to judge the exchange without overstating uncertain downstream information. Buffalo Bills earns a C- grade, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.

St. Louis acquired former No. 1 overall pick Walt Patulski while sending Buffalo the second-round choice used on Joe Devlin. Patulski did not establish a meaningful Cardinals career, while Devlin became a 13-season Bills fixture with 191 games and 179 starts. The enormous difference in longevity makes the Cardinals' gamble a costly one in hindsight.

On 1975-09-09, Buffalo Bills received Frank Oliver, while San Francisco 49ers received draft pick (selection not identified). The hindsight verdict is San Francisco 49ers Win, with Buffalo Bills graded C+ and San Francisco 49ers graded B-. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

Cleveland acquired defensive back Neal Craig from Buffalo for a 1976 eighth-round pick that became Scott Gardner. Craig immediately played 11 games with ten starts for the Browns in 1975, then added 14 games and nine starts in 1976, intercepting a pass in each season. Gardner never appeared in a regular-season NFL game for Buffalo. Cleveland turned a late pick into two years of starting-caliber secondary value.

Buffalo Bills received Doug Jones in the deal with Kansas City Chiefs. Doug Jones played 40 games with 37 starts for Buffalo from 1976 through 1978 and recorded five interceptions over his first two Bills seasons. That result supports a A- for Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills Win verdict weighs the documented service and usable draft value each side actually realized from the exchange.

Buffalo Bills received 1977 fifth round pick (#127-Neil O'Donoghue) in the exchange with San Francisco 49ers. Buffalo received the fifth-round choice that became Neil O'Donoghue, but that return did not match the starting and peak value Washington produced in San Francisco. The supported hindsight grade is C. That mark reflects realized value tied directly to this transaction, with the overall result recorded as San Francisco 49ers Win.

Buffalo's signing of Pat Toomay produced immediate value: the defensive lineman became the Bills' defensive MVP in 1975. Dallas received a 1977 second-round choice as free-agent compensation. The Cowboys later folded that No. 30 pick into the package used to trade up for Tony Dorsett. Buffalo got an excellent short-term player, but Dallas turned the compensation into part of a franchise-changing acquisition.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo converted the pick into Darnell Powell, but his Bills return was limited. The late-round selection did not produce comparable value to the veteran linebacker sent away. The C- grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Indianapolis Colts, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Indianapolis Colts Win.

Buffalo acquired veteran cornerback Earlie Thomas from the New York Jets on July 18, 1975 for an undisclosed draft choice. The Bills released Thomas on September 3 before he appeared in a Buffalo regular-season game. He later signed with Denver and played ten games there, but Buffalo realized no on-field return from the acquisition.

Buffalo traded running back Larry Watkins to New York on April 18, 1975 for the Giants' 1976 seventh-round choice, which became No. 195 overall. The Bills selected Texas A&M defensive back Jackie Williams, but he never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Buffalo therefore converted a veteran reserve into a draft asset that produced no regular-season field value.

Atlanta acquired Wallace Francis and received seven seasons of productive receiver play from 1975 through 1981. Francis developed into a starting weapon and topped 1,000 receiving yards in 1979, giving the Falcons both longevity and peak production from the exchange. That substantial direct return overwhelms the limited value Buffalo obtained from the two draft selections it received.

Buffalo Bills received 1975 fifth round pick (#125-Charles Waddell) in the exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Buffalo retained the fifth-round choice that became Charles Waddell and later redirected that draft capital in another transaction, preserving usable value. The supported hindsight grade is B-. That mark reflects realized value tied directly to this transaction, with the overall result recorded as Buffalo Bills Win.

Buffalo Bills received 1976 fifth round pick (selection not identified) from Los Angeles Chargers on 1975-01-28, while Los Angeles Chargers received 1975 fifth round pick (125th overall, Charles Waddell). The final verdict is Even Trade, with Buffalo Bills graded C and Los Angeles Chargers graded C. The result weighs realized football value and the certainty of the historical consideration rather than simply counting names or picks.

Denver acquired defensive tackle Bob Kampa from Buffalo on October 21, 1974 for the Bills' 1975 seventh-round pick at No. 174. Kampa played four games with one start for Denver late that season, then was waived before the 1975 regular season.

Buffalo Bills received 1975 seventh round pick (#166-Gil Chapman) in the exchange with San Francisco 49ers. The seventh-round choice became Gil Chapman, who did not produce comparable Bills regular-season value. Against the other side's return of Bob Penchion, that outcome supports a D+ grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as San Francisco 49ers Win, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo received Dave Costa and gained meaningful defensive-line work from the veteran after the trade. The B- grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Los Angeles Chargers, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Buffalo Bills Win.

Buffalo acquired safety Neal Craig from Cincinnati on August 28, 1974 for the future fourth-round selection that became running back Stan Fritts at No. 97. Craig immediately started all 14 games for the Bills in 1974 and returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown before moving to Cleveland the next year. Fritts gave Cincinnati two productive rotational seasons, rushing for 575 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding two receiving scores. That balance of realized value gives the edge to Cincinnati Bengals.

Buffalo Bills received $100 cash in the 1974-08-02 exchange with San Diego Chargers, giving up Fred Forsberg. Buffalo received $100 cash for Fred Forsberg. That return supports a C- grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Buffalo acquired veteran Steve Chomyszak, but his recorded NFL career did not produce meaningful regular-season Bills service after the trade. The return therefore remained largely theoretical. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Buffalo acquired quarterback Scott Hunter, but he appeared in only one game for the Bills. The limited return meant Buffalo did not extract much value from the exchange, especially compared with the multi-season defensive line contribution Green Bay received. That outcome supports a D+ grade for Buffalo Bills within the final Green Bay Packers Win verdict.

Buffalo traded defensive tackle Jerry Patton to Philadelphia for the Eagles' 1975 second-round pick, No. 42, which the Bills used on linebacker Bob Nelson. Nelson later gave Buffalo 25 regular-season games across 1976 and 1977. That is meaningful realized value from a pick that had previously been left unidentified, supporting a B-minus grade for Buffalo.

Buffalo traded defensive tackle Jerry Patton to Philadelphia on May 29, 1974, for a future second-round selection. The Bills used that choice at No. 42 in the 1975 draft on linebacker Bob Nelson. Patton immediately started all 14 games for the Eagles in 1974, while Nelson later appeared in 25 games for Buffalo before extending his career elsewhere.

Buffalo traded quarterback Leo Hart to the New York Giants on April 25, 1974 for a future draft choice whose exact round and selection have not been reliably established. Hart had appeared in two games with one start for Buffalo in 1972, completing 6 of 15 passes for 53 yards with three interceptions. He did not appear in a regular-season game for the Giants and was released before the 1974 season, leaving New York without on-field return from the player acquisition.

Arizona Cardinals received Dennis Shaw. Dennis Shaw played only sparingly for St. Louis across the 1974 and 1975 seasons, limiting the Cardinals' return from the quarterback they acquired. That outcome supports a D+ grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Arizona Cardinals actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.

Buffalo Bills received Fred Forsberg in the 1973-10-03 exchange with Denver Broncos. Forsberg gave Buffalo ten games and two starts in 1973 before moving on, providing a short but tangible return. Against Denver Broncos' return of John Pitts, that outcome supports a C grade. The transaction is judged Denver Broncos Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Buffalo acquired defensive tackle Earl Edwards from San Francisco for running back Randy Jackson and a 1975 third-round pick that became tackle Jeff Hart at No. 71. Edwards immediately became a productive Bills starter and recorded 18 sacks across his first two Buffalo seasons under modern stat reconstruction. San Francisco received a future third-rounder, but the immediate player return was far less valuable.

Buffalo Bills received Rich Kingrea / Rick Kingrea / Rick Kingrey. Buffalo received linebacker Rick Kingrea. His Bills tenure was limited, so the player return did not create much lasting value for Buffalo. The club obtained a usable player, but Cleveland's draft choice produced the more durable NFL contribution after the exchange. That result supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills.

On 1973-09-04, Buffalo Bills received (Ralph) Marty Huff, while San Francisco 49ers received draft pick (selection not identified). The hindsight verdict is San Francisco 49ers Win, with Buffalo Bills graded C+ and San Francisco 49ers graded B-. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

Buffalo Bills received 1974 fifth round pick (#106-Gary Hayman), while Los Angeles Chargers received Mike Stratton. Buffalo sent Mike Stratton to San Diego for the 1974 fifth-round choice that became No. 106 Gary Hayman. The supported history provides enough detail to judge the exchange without overstating uncertain downstream information. Buffalo Bills earns a C grade, and the overall verdict is Los Angeles Chargers Win.

St. Louis acquired running back Willie Belton from Buffalo for a 1974 tenth-round pick that became Art Cameron. Belton appeared in three games for the Cardinals in 1973 and five more in 1974, giving St. Louis at least some backfield service. Cameron did not produce an NFL regular-season career for Buffalo. The return was modest on both sides, but the Cardinals received the only documented game-day value.

Buffalo acquired veteran defensive lineman Dave Long from New Orleans on August 29, 1973 for an undisclosed draft choice. Long was released before the regular season and never appeared in a Bills game. The Saints later held Buffalo's 1975 sixth-round pick at No. 149, used on Mike Lemon, and transaction research identifies the Long trade as the probable source. Buffalo received no realized regular-season value.

Buffalo Bills received Mike Kadish in the 1973-08-27 exchange with Miami Dolphins. Kadish became a long-term Bills fixture through 1981, appearing in 127 games with 79 starts and delivering substantial defensive value. Against Miami Dolphins's return of Irv Goode, that outcome supports a A grade. The transaction is judged Buffalo Bills Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Atlanta Falcons received Louis Ross. Louis Ross did not appear in a regular-season game for Atlanta before the Falcons moved him again, leaving no direct on-field return. That outcome supports a D+ grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Atlanta Falcons actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.

Buffalo Bills received Larry Watkins in the 1973-08-16 exchange with Philadelphia Eagles. Watkins immediately played all fourteen games with nine starts, rushed for 414 yards, added receiving value, scored three total touchdowns, and remained with Buffalo in 1974. Against Philadelphia Eagles's return of Dick Cunningham, that outcome supports a B grade. The transaction is judged Buffalo Bills Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Buffalo Bills received 1974 tenth round pick (probably #249-Don Calhoun) in the deal with Cleveland Browns. Buffalo received a 1974 tenth-round choice, probably the selection used on Don Calhoun. Calhoun played 20 Bills games with modest rushing production, but the pick-to-player linkage remains probable rather than certain. That result supports a B- for Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills Win verdict weighs the documented service and usable draft value each side actually realized from the exchange.

On 1973-07-26, Buffalo Bills received Al Davis (a), while Philadelphia Eagles received undisclosed draft pick (selection not identified). The hindsight verdict is Buffalo Bills Win, with Buffalo Bills graded C+ and Philadelphia Eagles graded C. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

Buffalo Bills: Mosier did not provide Buffalo regular-season value, leaving the Bills without a meaningful return from the acquired player. The F grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Indianapolis Colts, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Indianapolis Colts Win.

On 1973-07-13, Atlanta Falcons received undisclosed draft pick, while Buffalo Bills received Ray Jarvis. The hindsight verdict is Buffalo Bills Win, with Atlanta Falcons graded C and Buffalo Bills graded C+. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo received Ron Berger, but he did not make the Bills regular-season roster and therefore produced no meaningful direct return. The D grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against New England Patriots, that supported return leads to the final verdict of New England Patriots Win.

Buffalo acquired Bo Cornell from Cleveland for the 1974 sixth-round pick later used on Billy Pritchett. Cornell stayed with the Bills for five seasons, became a special-teams captain and started extensively at linebacker, giving Buffalo durable value from a modest draft cost. That multi-year contribution clearly exceeds the return created by the surrendered selection and supports a B grade and a Bills win.

Denver sent Clem Turner and Jack Gehrke to Buffalo on May 2, 1973 for a future draft choice. Draft records identify the return as Buffalo's 1974 tenth-round pick, No. 251 overall. Denver later sent that selection to St. Louis for safety Dale Hackbart, who appeared in three Broncos games with two starts. That modest downstream return exceeded Buffalo's realized value.

Buffalo traded defensive lineman Al Cowlings to Houston on April 30, 1973 for the Oilers' second-round pick in the 1974 draft. The Bills used No. 27 on linebacker Doug Allen, who played 28 games and started 13 across two Buffalo seasons. Cowlings started 23 games in two Houston seasons and had some defensive value, making this a modest Buffalo win rather than a runaway result.

Buffalo acquired Jim Cheyunski, Halvor Hagen and Mike Montler. Cheyunski became an immediate starting linebacker and team leader, while Hagen and Montler added further veteran service. Montler in particular had a long NFL career as an offensive lineman. The combined usefulness of three incoming veterans gives Buffalo the clearly stronger direct return from this six-player exchange.

San Diego traded defensive back Chuck Detwiler, defensive end Lee Thomas, and a player to be named later to Buffalo on April 10, 1973 for the Bills' 1974 second-round pick. The Chargers used No. 43 on offensive lineman Mark Markovich, who appeared in 23 regular-season games for San Diego across 1974-75. Detwiler and Thomas did not play a regular-season game for Buffalo after the trade, while the later player's identity remains unresolved.

Buffalo Bills received Allen Aldridge in the 1973-02-14 exchange with Houston Oilers, giving up Paul Guidry. Buffalo acquired linebacker Allen Aldridge in the veteran-for-veteran exchange. That return supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Denver sent the rights to Tom Bougus to Buffalo for a 1973 sixteenth-round pick that became running back Oliver Ross. Independent player records support the Bougus spelling and show no NFL regular-season career for him. Ross, by contrast, played 25 games for Denver from 1973 through 1975 and provided backfield depth. Turning the final-round selection into multiple seasons of game-day service gives Denver the clear hindsight win.

Denver acquired wide receiver Haven Moses from Buffalo in October 1972 for Dwight Harrison. Moses became one of the most important receivers in early Broncos history and later helped Denver reach its first Super Bowl, while Harrison found a productive second life after Buffalo converted him from receiver to defensive back.

Buffalo Bills received Tom Beard in the exchange with Denver Broncos. Tom Beard gave Buffalo only a short 1972 stint, so the player return was real but limited and did not develop into a long-term advantage. Against Denver Broncos's return of 1973 13th round pick (#319-Ed Smith (Alexander)), that result supports a C grade. The transaction is judged as Denver Broncos Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Buffalo Bills received Frank Cornish in the deal with Miami Dolphins. Cornish appeared in only six Buffalo games in 1972 and made one start. The Bills therefore received a short and limited contribution from the player they acquired. That outcome supports a D for Buffalo Bills. The Miami Dolphins Win verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

Buffalo Bills received 1974 14th round pick (#339-Phil Lamm) in the exchange with Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans. The fourteenth-round choice became No. 339 Phil Lamm, but the selection did not create NFL value comparable to what Carr provided after leaving Buffalo. Against Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans's return of Levert Carr, that result supports a D+ grade. The transaction is judged as Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Buffalo acquired Scott Lewis from Houston for a conditional 1973 draft choice. The condition was not exercised, meaning Houston ultimately received no draft asset from the agreement. Lewis also did not create a durable, clearly separable Buffalo payoff. Because neither side realized enough lasting value to establish meaningful separation, an even low-value result remains appropriate.

Buffalo Bills received 1973 conditional pick (#110-Wallace Francis). Buffalo received the conditional 1973 choice that became No. 110 and used it on Wallace Francis. Francis went on to a multi-year NFL career, giving Buffalo tangible value from the acquired draft asset. That direct player outcome was more useful than the limited Chargers contribution from Cal Snowden. That stronger outcome supports a B- grade for Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo Bills received conditional draft pick (if Wilson makes Redskins roster) (probably 1973 #259-John LeHeup) in the exchange with Washington. Buffalo retained a conditional draft asset, likely the choice that became John LeHeup, although LeHeup never appeared in an NFL game for the Bills. The supported hindsight grade is C+. That mark reflects realized value tied directly to this transaction, with the overall result recorded as Buffalo Bills Win.

Buffalo acquired Miami's 1973 first-round pick, No. 26, and linebacker Dale Farley for wide receiver Marlin Briscoe and defensive lineman Jim Dunaway. The Bills used No. 26 on Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure. Miami still received meaningful championship-era value from Briscoe, but Buffalo secured the best long-term player and a franchise cornerstone from the exchange.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo received Dave Washington, who played 35 games with 19 starts for the Bills from 1972 through 1974. The B+ grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Denver Broncos, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Buffalo Bills Win.

Arizona Cardinals received Joe O'Donnell, while Buffalo Bills received Irv Goode. Joe O'Donnell retired rather than play for St. Louis after the trade. The Cardinals likewise failed to turn their return into meaningful on-field production. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D grade for Arizona Cardinals. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.

Atlanta received the 1972 fifth-round selection used on Billy Taylor. Taylor did not appear in an NFL regular-season game, so the Falcons realized little on-field value from the pick. The C grade reflects a valid draft return without meaningful production, leaving Atlanta close to Buffalo in a low-impact exchange that is best judged as Even Trade.

Buffalo acquired Ted Koy from Oakland in September 1971 for two 1972 draft choices: sixth-round No. 131, used on Dan Medlin, and fifteenth-round No. 365, used on Charles Hester. Koy supplied several seasons of Buffalo depth, but Medlin eventually became a multi-year Raiders lineman and part of the Super Bowl XI champion, giving Oakland the stronger hindsight return.

Buffalo acquired defensive back Ricky Stevenson from Cleveland in August 1971 for a conditional tenth-round pick that would have been owed only if Stevenson made the Bills roster. The condition was not met, so the draft choice was not exercised. Buffalo received a no-cost opportunity to evaluate a player, while Cleveland ultimately received no pick. Because Stevenson did not create a lasting Bills return either, the completed exchange grades as even.

Buffalo Bills received Norman Davis / Norm Davis. Buffalo obtained veteran guard Norman Davis, but the available career history does not show a regular-season Bills contribution after the move. With neither side converting the exchange into durable football value, equal C grades and an Even Trade are the most defensible result. That outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo agreed to receive a conditional tenth-round selection for John Redebaugh, but the condition was not exercised. That left the Bills without an actual draft return from the transaction, limiting the practical value they realized. The D+ grade reflects the absence of conveyed compensation while avoiding stronger claims about a player whose historical surname appears in more than one spelling.

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo received Palmer and obtained limited game value from him. The return was small, but it was still more than zero. The C- grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Miami Dolphins, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Buffalo Bills Win.

Buffalo sent veteran defensive lineman Ron McDole to Washington for three 1973 draft choices, eventually Nos. 77, 103 and 181. The Bills gained useful draft volume, but McDole became a durable Washington starter and remained a fixture on the defense through the 1970s. His seven-plus seasons of direct value outweigh the scattered return created by Buffalo's package, giving Washington the stronger result.

Buffalo acquired defensive back Alvin Wyatt and the 1971 third-round pick used on Bruce Jarvis from Oakland for Bill Enyart and a 10th-round selection. Wyatt immediately became a regular Bills contributor, starting every game in 1971 and remaining useful in 1972, while Enyart appeared only once for the Raiders. Buffalo also moved up substantially in draft value, creating a clear Bills win.

Denver acquired veteran cornerback Booker Edgerson from Buffalo for a 1972 fifth-round pick. Historical records disagree over whether the relevant selection was No. 108 Bob Penchion or a chain ending at No. 109 Billy Taylor, so the return should remain one fifth-round pick rather than a pick plus an unidentified player. Edgerson played only six games for Denver, leaving the result essentially even.

Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals exchanged 1971 sixth round pick (#145-Bill McKinley) for Virgil Carter. Buffalo's sixth-round return became Bill McKinley. The positional and workload gap is enormous. In hindsight, Cincinnati Bengals produced the stronger realized return, with the grade based on actual post-trade service and traceable downstream value rather than the nominal asset label alone.

Buffalo Bills received 1971 fifth round pick (#113-Tim Beamer). The locked Wave 209 research supports the C- grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against Denver Broncos, that documented return supports the final verdict of Denver Broncos Win.

On 1970-05-04, Buffalo Bills received undisclosed future draft choice (selection not identified), while Green Bay Packers received Joe Runk. The final verdict is Even Trade, with Buffalo Bills graded C and Green Bay Packers graded C. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Any conditional, undisclosed, or unidentified component is credited only to the extent that the surviving evidence establishes it.

Buffalo acquired center Frank Marchlewski from New Orleans for a 1971 fourth-round pick that became Carlos Bell at No. 82. Marchlewski immediately started all 13 games he played for the Bills in 1970, giving Buffalo a full season of dependable offensive-line value. Bell reached the Saints but appeared in only one NFL game. Turning a future fourth-rounder into an immediate starting center gives Buffalo the clear advantage.

Buffalo Bills received 1971 eighth round pick (#183-Louis Ross), while New England Patriots received Ray Jacobs. Buffalo sent Ray Jacobs to Boston and received the 1971 eighth-round choice used at No. 183 on Louis Ross. Jacobs' Patriots stay was brief and later interrupted by a serious back injury, while Ross at least reached NFL regular-season action after Buffalo drafted him. Buffalo Bills earns a C+ grade, and the overall verdict is Buffalo Bills Win.

Buffalo sent receiver Richard Trapp to the Chargers and received the 1970 third-round pick used on Glenn Alexander. Alexander played 13 games for the Bills as a rookie, catching four passes for 51 yards and handling kickoff-return work. Trapp’s Chargers stint lasted only eight games with two catches for 39 yards. Neither return became a major piece, but Buffalo extracted slightly more usable value.

Buffalo Bills received 1970 sixth round pick (#135-Grant Guthrie) in the exchange with New England Patriots. The sixth-round choice became No. 135 Grant Guthrie, who gave Buffalo a shorter and less efficient kicking stint than the multi-season value Janik supplied in New England. Against New England Patriots' return of Tom Janik, that result supports a C grade. The transaction is judged as New England Patriots Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Buffalo Bills received 1969 fifth round pick (#105-Ben Mayes), while Los Angeles Chargers received Keith Lincoln. San Diego reacquired Keith Lincoln while Buffalo received the 1969 fifth-round choice used at No. 105 on Ben Mayes. Lincoln's return lasted only one game and Mayes never generated regular-season value for Buffalo, so neither side created a meaningful advantage. Buffalo Bills earns a D+ grade, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.

Buffalo acquired running back Bob Cappadona, with the duplicate spelling removed so the return correctly contains one player. Cappadona started seven games for the Bills and produced 364 scrimmage yards with three touchdowns, giving Buffalo tangible short-term value from a ninth-round price. That production is enough to support a B- grade and makes Buffalo the stronger side of the 1968 exchange.

Buffalo received Gene Jeter from Denver in a transaction tied to a conditional eighth-round choice that was ultimately not exercised. Jeter had already played three seasons for the Broncos, and the available record does not show a meaningful later return for either club from this specific move. Isolating it from the other July 1968 transactions leaves an appropriately neutral result.

Denver sent Charlie Mitchell to Buffalo in June 1968 and received a 1969 sixth-round pick that became No. 131, Wandy Williams. Mitchell appeared only briefly for Buffalo, while Williams played for Denver in 1969 and 1970 and contributed as a runner, receiver and kickoff returner. The difference is modest, but the realized pick value gives Denver the better result.

Buffalo acquired quarterback Kay Stephenson from the Chargers and received immediate playing time in 1968. Stephenson appeared in ten games and handled a substantial amount of passing work, giving the Bills useful quarterback depth and real regular-season snaps. The fifth-round pick sent to the Chargers did not produce a comparable return for Los Angeles, so Buffalo's realized value supports a B- grade.

Buffalo turned the acquired fifth-round pick into Ben Gregory, who started all six games he played in 1968. Gregory rushed for 283 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. His career was short, but the Bills received immediate starting and rushing value from the pick.

Buffalo Bills received 1968 fifth round pick (#119-Mike McBath); 1968 fifth round pick (#132-Max Anderson) in the exchange with Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo actually received two fifth-round selections: No. 119 Mike McBath and No. 132 Max Anderson. Together they produced substantial Bills playing time and made the draft package the stronger return. Against Kansas City Chiefs' return of Remi Prudhomme, that result supports a A- grade. The transaction is judged as Buffalo Bills Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Kansas City traded veteran defensive back Bobby Ply to Buffalo on October 6, 1967 for an undisclosed draft choice. Ply appeared in three games for the Bills before finishing the season with Denver. Because the Chiefs' pick remains unidentified in the evidence reviewed, Kansas City's return should be credited only as undisclosed draft capital, while Buffalo's return can be measured as a short three-game stint.

Buffalo acquired tight end Billy Masters from Kansas City on September 6, 1967, for its 1968 fourth-round draft choice, which became No. 90 Mickey McCarty. Masters played three seasons for the Bills, catching 61 passes for 762 yards and three touchdowns and starting all 14 games in 1969. McCarty appeared in only three NFL games, making Buffalo the clear winner.

Buffalo acquired Willie Frazier from Kansas City for a sixth-round draft choice, but the exact downstream identity of that pick is not secure. Some records connect it to the 1968 selection used on Mickey McCarty, while the surviving evidence is not strong enough to treat that attribution as certain. Frazier gave Buffalo the documented player return, but the unresolved pick trail keeps the overall exchange balanced.

Buffalo converted Denver's conditional 1968 fourth-rounder into linebacker Edgar Chandler after Dave Behrman made the Broncos roster. Chandler became a five-year Buffalo contributor, appearing in 56 games with 35 starts, while Behrman started 11 games at center in his lone Denver season. That durable difference moves the Bills to a B, Denver to a C+, and gives Buffalo the hindsight win.

Oakland acquired quarterback Daryle Lamonica, Glenn Bass and Buffalo's 1967 third- and fifth-round picks for Tom Flores, Art Powell and a second-round pick. Lamonica immediately led the Raiders to a 13-1 season and Super Bowl II, later earning league MVP honors. The additional picks produced Bill Fairband and Mike Hibler, making Oakland's already superior quarterback return even more valuable.

Buffalo acquired Keith Lincoln from San Diego for Tom Day and the 1967 second-round pick used on Bob Howard. Lincoln gave the Bills excellent immediate production in 1967, making the deal worthwhile in the short term, but his second Buffalo stint was brief. San Diego's return produced the stronger long-term asset in Howard.

Buffalo reacquired kicker Mike Mercer from Kansas City and received additional game action from a familiar specialist. The Bills gave up a 1968 fifth-round choice that became No. 119, but the later movement of that pick helped Kansas City acquire Remi Prudhomme. Buffalo still received usable kicking value from Mercer, making its side of a balanced chain worthy of a B- grade.

Denver acquired defensive tackle Dave Costa from Buffalo on January 23, 1967, sending the Bills a 1967 third-round pick used on Tom Rhoads and a 1968 fourth-round pick used on Edgar Chandler. Costa started all 70 games of his five Denver seasons and earned three straight AFL All-Star selections. Rhoads never played an NFL game, making Denver the decisive winner despite Chandler's useful Buffalo career.

Buffalo Bills received 1967 twelfth round pick (#292-Ernie Ames). Buffalo used the twelfth-round selection on Ernie Ames, who did not establish an NFL regular-season career and therefore provided little realized value from the acquired pick. That result supports a D grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Tennessee Titans Win, based on the documented service, durability, and value each club actually obtained from this exchange.

Buffalo moved Mike Mercer to Kansas City and received the 1967 fifth-round selection that became No. 131. The Bills later included that asset in the major Daryle Lamonica transaction, giving the pick some secondary leverage. Kansas City received the clearer direct value: Mercer kicked in ten games, made 20 field goals and helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl I during the 1966 season.

Buffalo acquired veteran back Jack Spikes from Miami for the 1967 fifth-round pick that became Gary Tucker. Spikes gave the Bills immediate AFL experience and useful service, while Tucker produced little lasting regular-season value for the Dolphins. Buffalo received the stronger realized football return and deserves a clear, though not franchise-altering, advantage in the final grades.

Miami acquired quarterback George Wilson Jr. from Buffalo for the 1967 thirteenth-round selection that became No. 318 overall. Wilson played all 14 games for the expansion Dolphins in 1966, started seven at quarterback, threw for 764 yards and five touchdowns, and also handled 42 punts. That broad inaugural-season role gave Miami meaningful immediate value from an extremely late future draft choice.

Buffalo Bills received 1967 13th round pick (#319-George Carter). Buffalo used the thirteenth-round selection on George Carter, but Carter chose professional basketball and never supplied the Bills direct NFL regular-season value. That result supports a D grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Tennessee Titans Win, based on the documented service, durability, and value each club actually obtained from this exchange.

Buffalo sent linebacker Bill Laskey to Oakland for a 1967 sixth-round pick that became No. 149, Bill Wilkerson. Laskey became part of the Raiders' linebacker group, while Buffalo chose future draft value instead of retaining him. With the separate Dave Costa transaction removed from this record, the direct player-for-pick comparison gives Oakland the clearer football return.

Buffalo received cash when Flint and Keating went to Oakland to complete the earlier Bo Roberson transaction. The exact amount is not established, so the return must remain unquantified. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Buffalo Bills received Bo Roberson. Buffalo acquired Bo Roberson during its 1965 championship season and received immediate offensive help, including 31 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. Buffalo gained useful championship-season help, while Oakland's delayed return produced meaningful longer-term value, so both sides deserve strong marks. That outcome supports a B grade for Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo acquired defensive back Tom Janik from Denver for the 1966 AFL seventh-round pick used on Scotty Glacken. Janik became a major Bills playmaker, including double-digit interception production across the next two seasons, while Glacken supplied Denver only limited service. Buffalo turned a late-round cost into high-end defensive value and earns the strongest grade in this wave.

Buffalo Bills received Pete Liske, while New York Jets received John Sklopane. Pete Liske was released by Buffalo on August 12, 1965 before appearing in a game for the Bills. Buffalo therefore realized essentially no on-field value from the acquisition. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D grade for Buffalo Bills. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.

Denver acquired Cookie Gilchrist from Buffalo for fellow fullback Billy Joe on February 24, 1965. Gilchrist immediately produced 1,108 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns in 14 games, earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro recognition. Joe also gave Buffalo a productive season with 648 scrimmage yards, six touchdowns and a Pro Bowl selection as the Bills repeated as AFL champions.

Buffalo acquired Joe Auer from Kansas City for a future draft choice whose round and eventual selection are not securely identified. Auer played 12 games with seven starts for the 1964 AFL champions and remained with the Bills in 1965 as they repeated. That contribution to two championship rosters gives Buffalo more documented football value than the uncertain draft asset Kansas City received.

Buffalo acquired Boston's 1965 AFL 10th-round choice for defensive end Mack Yoho and used No. 79 on Chuck Mercein. Mercein instead entered the NFL with the New York Giants and never played for Buffalo, while Yoho's major-league playing record ends with the Bills in 1963 and shows no Patriots regular-season appearance. Neither acquiring club realized field production, making the exchange even rather than a Buffalo win.

Buffalo Bills received LeRoy Jackson in the exchange with Oakland Raiders. LeRoy Jackson was Buffalo's return, but his value did not match the useful line play Oakland received. The Bills did not gain the more durable contributor from this exchange. In hindsight, that direct outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The judgment focuses on what this transaction itself produced rather than unrelated later moves.

Denver acquired Marv Matuszak and Billy Atkins from Buffalo for center Walt Cudzik in May 1964. Matuszak became the decisive piece, appearing throughout the Broncos’ 1964 season and recording two interceptions, while Atkins added depth. Cudzik gave Buffalo an experienced center, but Denver received the broader package and the clearest on-field contribution, producing a narrow Broncos win rather than a lopsided result.

Buffalo Bills received 1 player and 1 draft asset from Denver Broncos, while Denver Broncos received 1 player and 1 rights/other asset in the 1964-04-17 deal. In hindsight, Buffalo Bills's return did not separate far enough from the other side to justify a winner. The grades are C for Buffalo Bills and C for Denver Broncos, producing a final verdict of Even Trade. The rating stays proportional to the stakes and to the value the acquired pieces ultimately delivered.

Denver acquired veteran offensive tackle Harold Olson from Buffalo on September 1, 1963 for what the surviving AFL transaction ledger describes as a high 1964 draft player. The exact compensation is disputed, with public draft-trade research pointing to either No. 25 Butch Byrd or No. 81 Bobby Smith. Olson played all 28 Denver regular-season games in 1963-64.

Buffalo traded Frank Jackunas to Denver on August 27, 1963 and received a draft pick in return. The surviving record does not identify the pick's round, overall selection, or downstream player, so those details should remain unresolved. Still, Buffalo converted a player who produced no regular-season value for Denver into future draft capital, giving the Bills the stronger realized side of the exchange.

Buffalo Bills received Bill Miller in the exchange with Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs. Bill Miller immediately became a major part of Buffalo's passing game in 1963, catching 69 passes for 860 yards and three touchdowns. Even though his Bills tenure was not especially long, that first-season production was substantial. In hindsight, that direct outcome supports a B grade for Buffalo Bills. The judgment focuses on what this transaction itself produced rather than unrelated later moves.

Buffalo purchased linebacker Harry Jacobs from the Boston Patriots in 1963, with historical evidence placing the sale on July 19 rather than January 1. Jacobs then played seven seasons for the Bills and contributed to their 1964 and 1965 AFL championship teams. That long-term return makes Buffalo the decisive winner, graded A- to D+.

Buffalo received Hank Rivera, Pete Nicklas, and George Shirkey in the three-player package. The group did not provide lasting Bills value comparable to what Archie Matsos immediately became in Oakland. Buffalo gained multiple players and therefore more short-term options, but the package failed to yield a long-term centerpiece or a comparable level of high-end defensive production.

Buffalo Bills received Richard Hudson / Dick Hudson; Frank Lasky; rights to Harrison Rosdahl / Hatch Rosdahl in the 1963-01-14 exchange with San Diego Chargers. Dick Hudson became a long-term Buffalo starter and championship-era contributor, giving the Bills durable value from a package that also included Frank Lasky and rights to Hatch Rosdahl. The direct package is the basis for the hindsight grade, with later movement of an acquired selection treated separately. That supports Even Trade.

On 1962-12-17, Buffalo Bills received rights to George Saimes, while Kansas City Chiefs received "high" draft pick (selection not identified). The final verdict is Kansas City Chiefs Win, with Buffalo Bills graded C+ and Kansas City Chiefs graded B-. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Both sides have identifiable consideration, allowing the hindsight grade to focus on what those assets actually became.

Buffalo acquired Jerry DeLucca from Boston on September 4, 1962 for future draft compensation whose exact selection remains unresolved. DeLucca immediately appeared in all 14 Bills games in 1962 and returned for two more in 1963. That direct roster contribution gives Buffalo the modest edge, while the unidentified Patriots return keeps the Bills' grade below the top range.

Buffalo Bills Buffalo received quarterback Al Dorow, but he started only four games for the Bills before his stay ended. That limited return keeps Buffalo's side below the value New York received. The supported hindsight grade is D. That mark weighs only value tied directly to this transaction and keeps the result proportional to the deal's cost. Against New York Jets, the final verdict is New York Jets Win.

Buffalo sent quarterback M.C. Reynolds and defensive tackle Chuck McMurtry to Oakland for Wayne Crow and the Raiders' 1963 second-round pick. Buffalo used the ninth overall AFL selection on Jim Dunaway, who became a four-time AFL All-Star and key member of the Bills' 1964 and 1965 championship defenses. Oakland received little lasting value from Reynolds and McMurtry, giving Buffalo a large advantage.

Buffalo Bills received Tom Saidock in the exchange with New York Titans/Jets. Tom Saidock was Buffalo's return, but he did not become a major long-term difference-maker for the Bills. The acquisition produced only modest direct value. In hindsight, that direct outcome supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The judgment focuses on what this transaction itself produced rather than unrelated later moves.

Buffalo Bills received Joe Cannavino in the exchange with Oakland Raiders. Joe Cannavino gave Buffalo a short-term defensive-back return but did not turn the trade into a major long-term advantage. His value was useful rather than transformative. In hindsight, that direct outcome supports a C+ grade for Buffalo Bills. The judgment focuses on what this transaction itself produced rather than unrelated later moves.

Buffalo sent Ed Buckingham to Boston in August 1961 for a future draft asset whose exact downstream identity remains uncertain. Pro Football Archives dates the move to August 3, while draft reconstruction uses August 4 and tentatively links the return to the 1962 No. 86 selection associated with Tom Pennington. Buckingham was released by Boston less than two weeks later, so the Patriots received very little lasting player value.

Buffalo obtained Boston College lineman Jim O'Brien after Oakland lost its AFL signing rights, but the Bills did not send the Raiders a first-round pick. The AFL instead awarded Oakland part of a two-pick package in the 1962 12th round covering the lost rights to O'Brien and C.J. Alexander. This row is corrected from a direct trade to a league compensation action.

Buffalo Bills received Wray Carlton in the exchange with Boston/New England Patriots. Wray Carlton became Buffalo's leading rusher in the franchise's inaugural season and topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage. He later remained part of the Bills' championship-era teams, creating both immediate production and lasting franchise value. In hindsight, that direct outcome supports a A- grade for Buffalo Bills. The judgment focuses on what this transaction itself produced rather than unrelated later moves.

Cleveland acquired Buffalo's AAFC rights to Frank Aschenbrenner, but the researched evidence does not support the three-player Buffalo return previously attached to the transaction. Aschenbrenner never played for Cleveland, and Buffalo's actual consideration remains unidentified. With Cleveland receiving no realized on-field production and Buffalo's return unknown, the transaction is reset to an Even Trade with matching C grades.