Denver Broncos received 1971 eighth round pick (#187-Tom…
Denver Broncos received 1971 eighth round pick (#187-Tom Beard), while Tennessee Titans received Tom Smiley. Houston received Tom Smiley and Denver received the 1971 eighth-round choice used at No. 187 on Tom Beard. Smiley produced almost no rushing value for Houston, and Beard did not create regular-season value for Denver, leaving little separation. Denver Broncos earns a C- grade, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 1971 eighth round pick (#187- Tom Beard )
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Tom Smiley
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1970-10-27, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans completed an exchange in which Denver Broncos received 1971 eighth round pick (#187-Tom Beard), while Tennessee Titans received Tom Smiley. The transaction was modest, so the evaluation turns on the direct value each club actually realized from its return rather than hypothetical value in another setting.
Denver Broncos Return
Denver Broncos received 1971 eighth round pick (#187-Tom Beard), while Tennessee Titans received Tom Smiley. Houston received Tom Smiley and Denver received the 1971 eighth-round choice used at No. 187 on Tom Beard. Smiley produced almost no rushing value for Houston, and Beard did not create regular-season value for Denver, leaving little separation. Denver Broncos earns a C- grade, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.
Houston Oilers Return
Tennessee Titans received Tom Smiley, while Denver Broncos received 1971 eighth round pick (#187-Tom Beard). Houston received Tom Smiley and Denver received the 1971 eighth-round choice used at No. 187 on Tom Beard. Smiley produced almost no rushing value for Houston, and Beard did not create regular-season value for Denver, leaving little separation. Tennessee Titans earns a C- grade, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.
Value in Hindsight
Houston received Tom Smiley and Denver received the 1971 eighth-round choice used at No. 187 on Tom Beard. Smiley produced almost no rushing value for Houston, and Beard did not create regular-season value for Denver, leaving little separation. This is the clearest basis for separating the two returns. Small differences in old transaction dates, player naming, or pick numbering are preserved where relevant, but they do not outweigh the actual football value each club received.
Final Verdict
The final judgment is Even Trade. Denver Broncos receives C-, while Tennessee Titans receives C-. The grades are scaled to the size of the deal: a modest edge can still produce a winner, while two weak returns can reasonably finish even. The call rests on realized NFL value and the strongest supported description of the exchange.