Buffalo acquired Miami's 1973 first-round pick, No. 26, and…
Buffalo acquired Miami's 1973 first-round pick, No. 26, and linebacker Dale Farley for wide receiver Marlin Briscoe and defensive lineman Jim Dunaway. The Bills used No. 26 on Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure. Miami still received meaningful championship-era value from Briscoe, but Buffalo secured the best long-term player and a franchise cornerstone from the exchange.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1973 first round pick (#26-Joe Delamielleure)
- player Dale Farley
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Marlin Briscoe
- player Jim Dunaway
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Buffalo and Miami completed the deal in June 1972, with the Bills sending Marlin Briscoe and Jim Dunaway to the Dolphins. Buffalo's own history identifies the return as Miami's 1973 first-round choice, No. 26, plus linebacker Dale Farley. The structure gave Miami two experienced players while giving Buffalo a premium draft asset for the following spring.
What Buffalo Received
The decisive piece became Joe DeLamielleure. Buffalo used the No. 26 selection on the Michigan State guard, who developed into one of the defining offensive linemen in franchise history and later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. DeLamielleure became a fixture on the line that blocked for O.J. Simpson and supplied durable, elite value far beyond the ordinary return from a late first-round selection. Farley was secondary to the pick's eventual payoff.
What Miami Received
Miami did not come away empty. Briscoe had already been an All-Pro receiver in Buffalo and became part of the Dolphins teams that won Super Bowls VII and VIII. Buffalo's own retrospective notes his championship contribution after the trade. Dunaway also gave Miami veteran defensive-line depth. That makes this much closer than a one-sided giveaway and supports a strong grade for the Dolphins even though their return did not produce a Hall of Fame centerpiece.
How the Value Aged
The trade created useful outcomes on both sides, but Buffalo's best asset had the longer and more distinguished individual career. Turning the 26th pick into DeLamielleure gave the Bills a foundational player whose value lasted well beyond Miami's shorter championship-window benefit from Briscoe. The Hall of Fame outcome creates enough separation to move the deal away from an even grade without diminishing Miami's legitimate success.
Final Verdict
Buffalo earns a B+ and Miami a B. The Dolphins received real championship-era help, but the Bills acquired the pick that became Joe DeLamielleure, the strongest long-term asset in the transaction. That difference makes Buffalo Bills Win the better hindsight verdict.