Miami Dolphins received Bob DeMarco in the exchange with…

The Exchange

On 1970-08-31, Miami Dolphins received Bob DeMarco, while Pittsburgh Steelers received 1971 eighth round pick (#203-Ernie Holmes). This was a relatively small transaction, so the useful question is what each side actually gained from the exchanged player or draft choice. The documented career results provide enough separation to grade the two returns without treating the deal as larger than it was. Miami Dolphins Return Miami received established center Bob DeMarco and obtained useful starting value during the Dolphins' rise, but Pittsburgh's eighth-round return became Ernie Holmes. Holmes developed into a multi-year starter on the Steel Curtain defensive line and started on two Super Bowl championship teams, creating the larger long-term return. The current winner is supported, while the pick label should remove the nonstandard Fat Holmes nickname annotation. For Miami Dolphins, the return is graded B-. That grade is based on the direct NFL service, starts, production, or draft value tied to what Miami Dolphins received. Where a later draft connection is uncertain, the assessment counts only what can be supported confidently rather than assuming extra value. Pittsburgh Steelers Return Pittsburgh Steelers is graded A for its side of the exchange. The same standard applies here: sustained playing time and meaningful production raise the value, while brief service or a pick that did not create an NFL role keeps the return modest. The evidence is weighed by realized football value rather than by the apparent importance of the asset on the day of the trade. Value in Hindsight Hindsight separates these returns because the two sides did not produce equal results after the exchange. The grades reflect duration, role, production, and the strength of the documented draft connection. That approach gives useful credit for a productive veteran or a pick that became a contributor, while avoiding extra credit for outcomes that cannot be tied securely to this deal. Final Verdict The final call is Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Miami Dolphins receives B-, and Pittsburgh Steelers receives A. The decision follows the documented value attached to the exchanged assets and the contribution each club ultimately realized. That keeps the verdict appropriately scaled while still recognizing a meaningful edge when one side clearly produced more usable NFL value.