Buffalo Bills–Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trade History

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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'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.

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.