Buffalo sent linebacker Bill Laskey to Oakland for a 1967…
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 Bills Received
- pick 1967 sixth round pick (#149-Bill Wilkerson)
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Bill Laskey
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Buffalo and Oakland completed a straightforward player-for-pick transaction involving linebacker Bill Laskey. The Bills received Oakland's 1967 sixth-round selection, later No. 149, while the Raiders received Laskey. This exchange stands on its own and does not include Dave Costa or the separate No. 155 selection that changed hands in another Buffalo-Oakland move from the same period. Buffalo Bills Return Buffalo turned Laskey into a future sixth-round selection and used the asset that became Bill Wilkerson. Converting a player into draft capital gave the Bills another opportunity to refresh the roster, and a sixth-round choice still had practical value in the common draft era. The return was real and identifiable, but it did not match the certainty of an NFL linebacker who was already capable of contributing. Las Vegas Raiders Return Oakland received Laskey, who was part of the Raiders' linebacker group in 1966 and 1967. That immediate usefulness is important in a trade involving only a sixth-round choice. The Raiders did not sacrifice an early selection or multiple assets; they exchanged one later draft opportunity for a player who could step directly into the defensive rotation and starting structure. Value in Hindsight The direct comparison favors the Raiders because the player value was clearer than the eventual value of the pick. Buffalo's decision was reasonable roster management and the sixth-round selection prevented the move from becoming one-sided. Still, when a team turns a later pick into a contributor who stays in the lineup, the practical return usually carries more weight than the abstract flexibility of the selection. Final Verdict Oakland earns a B- and Buffalo a C+. The Raiders converted modest draft capital into useful linebacker play, while Buffalo received a legitimate but less impactful future asset. The difference is meaningful enough for a Raiders win, yet the cost was low enough that Buffalo's side remains respectable rather than a major loss.