Miami Dolphins–Tennessee Titans Trade History

Miami's official trade history records a January 15, 1966 exchange sending linebacker Ron Caveness to Houston for the rights to quarterback Billy Anderson. Caveness had been selected by Miami in the AFL expansion process and was immediately turned into a quarterback-rights asset. Houston wins because Caveness became a multi-season contributor while Miami's rights to Anderson produced little visible return. The Dolphins' expansion context explains the gamble, but the actual career value landed on the Oilers' side.

Miami sent quarterback Billy Anderson to Houston in December 1967 for a 1968 ninth-round pick, No. 240, later used on defensive back Tom Paciorek. Anderson’s NFL career consisted of eight games for the Oilers in 1967, and Paciorek never played an NFL regular-season game. With neither side receiving meaningful post-transaction NFL production, the exchange lands squarely in even territory.

Miami acquired Russell Price from Houston in August 1971 for a draft choice that was later identified as 1972 tenth-round No. 259 Jimmy Butler. Price did not become a major Dolphins contributor, and the Oilers' late selection did not produce a meaningful long-term return. The modest outcomes on both sides leave the transaction essentially even.

Houston sent defensive end Russell Price to Miami on November 23, 1971 for the Dolphins' 1972 tenth-round pick, No. 259 overall. The Oilers used the selection on Tulsa tight end Jim Butler, but Pro Football Reference records no NFL regular-season games for Butler. With neither returned asset producing documented regular-season value, Houston's realized return was effectively neutral.

Miami acquired veteran cornerback Ken Ellis from Houston during the 1976 season and received a short-term defensive contributor. Ellis appeared in 12 games with five starts for the Dolphins. The cost became much more significant when Houston used Miami's 1977 third-round choice on Jimmie Giles and also held a fourth-round selection, giving the Oilers the stronger return.

Miami moved from No. 83 to No. 76 in the 1983 draft and selected defensive end Charles Benson, sending Houston the No. 83 pick plus No. 139. Benson played 28 NFL games and recorded two sacks. The Oilers used the two incoming selections on defensive back Steve Brown and defensive lineman Jerome Foster, receiving far more combined professional production from the exchange.

Miami acquired linebacker John Grimsley from Houston for the 79th pick in the 1991 draft. Grimsley eventually started 20 games for the Dolphins across the 1992 and 1993 seasons, providing useful defensive value. Houston used No. 79 on Kevin Donnalley, who remained with the Oilers and Titans organization for seven seasons and became a regular offensive-line starter.

Miami moved down ten spots in the fifth round in 2012 and received an additional seventh-round pick, turning the package into Josh Kaddu and Rishard Matthews. Tennessee used No. 145 on tight end Taylor Thompson, whose NFL impact was limited. Matthews became the standout asset, eventually producing 3,160 career receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, making Miami the clear winner.

Miami sent Ryan Tannehill and a 2019 sixth-round pick to Tennessee for a 2019 seventh-rounder and a 2020 fourth-round pick. The Dolphins were resetting their roster and moved on from an expensive veteran quarterback, but Tannehill immediately revived his career with the Titans, winning Comeback Player of the Year and helping Tennessee reach the 2019 AFC Championship Game. Miami’s draft return never approached that level of impact.

Miami acquired Isaiah Wilson and a 2022 seventh-round selection that ultimately became Skylar Thompson. Wilson was waived only three days after the trade, but Thompson later started NFL games for Miami and gave the club meaningful value from the future pick. The B- grade reflects that mixed package and a modest edge in realized return over Tennessee.