Detroit Lions–Miami Dolphins Trade History

Detroit acquired linebacker Larry Ball plus Miami’s 1976 fifth-round choice, while the Dolphins received Detroit’s 1976 fourth-round choice. Ball immediately appeared in all 14 games for the Lions in 1975, and Detroit also retained an additional draft asset. Miami later recycled the fourth-round capital, but Detroit obtained the clearer immediate return and earns a modest win.

Detroit acquired tackle Karl Baldischwiler from Miami for a 1979 tenth-round pick. Baldischwiler played all 16 games in each of his first four Lions seasons and appeared in 73 games for Detroit from 1978 through 1982, giving the club multiple years of useful offensive-line service. That dependable return was far more valuable than the late-round selection Detroit surrendered, making the Lions the clear winner.

Miami moved veteran linebacker Steve Towle to Detroit for the 1982 ninth-round pick that became Steve Clark at No. 239. Towle went to injured reserve before playing a regular-season game for the Lions and later retired. Clark, meanwhile, played 41 NFL games with five starts for Miami. The Dolphins turned an outgoing veteran into several seasons of useful depth.

Detroit traded guard Bill Searcey to Miami on August 12, 1981 for the Dolphins' 1982 twelfth-round selection. The exact player ultimately tied to that late pick is not secure enough to credit here, but Miami's return is clear: Searcey was released five days after the trade and never played a regular-season game for the Dolphins. Detroit wins narrowly because it recovered a draft asset for a player Miami did not use.

Detroit sent Miami three later picks in the 1998 draft to acquire No. 60 and selected quarterback Charlie Batch. Batch started 46 games for the Lions and ultimately played 81 NFL games, throwing for 11,085 career yards. Miami used the return on Brad Jackson, Scott Shaw and John Dutton. Jackson became a useful defender, but the package did not approach the value of a multi-year starting quarterback.

Miami sent the 27th pick in the 1999 draft to Detroit for selections 39, 72 and 142. Detroit used No. 27 on tackle Aaron Gibson, who played 38 career games and started 34. Miami used No. 39 on J.J. Johnson and retained two additional selections, giving the Dolphins greater total opportunity and enough production to win the exchange despite no star emerging.

Miami acquired quarterback Joey Harrington from Detroit for a conditional 2007 sixth-round pick that escalated to a fifth-rounder after Harrington reached the required playing-time threshold. Miami received functional short-term quarterback play, but Detroit had greater leverage value because it converted an unwanted former starter into a fifth-round choice.

Detroit traded picks No. 66 and No. 176 to Miami for No. 64 and selected running back Kevin Smith. Smith gave the Lions 2,346 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns across five seasons. Miami selected defensive end Kendall Langford, who became a durable four-year starter, plus Jalen Parmele. Both sides received real value, but Langford's sustained starting role gives the Dolphins a narrow edge.

Detroit traded defensive tackle Akeem Spence to Miami for a 2019 seventh-round pick, eventually No. 229 and P.J. Johnson. The Lions created cap and roster flexibility and recovered a draft asset, but Johnson did not provide comparable Detroit production. Spence immediately started all 16 games for Miami, making the Dolphins' inexpensive veteran acquisition the more valuable side.