Kansas City sent 1971 second-round defensive end Scott Lewis…
Kansas City sent 1971 second-round defensive end Scott Lewis to Houston on August 27, 1971 and received the Oilers' 1973 second-round pick. The Chiefs used No. 27 overall on tight end Gary Butler, who played all 14 games in 1973, started three and caught eight passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Butler's tangible NFL production gave Kansas City the stronger return.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 1973 2nd round pick (27th overall, Gary Butler)
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Scott Lewis
Trade Analysis
The Deal
Kansas City traded rookie defensive end Scott Lewis to Houston on August 27, 1971. Lewis had been the Chiefs' second-round selection at No. 42 earlier that year. Houston paid with its 1973 second-round draft choice, giving Kansas City a future premium selection rather than a late-round flyer.
What Houston Received
Lewis came out of Grambling as a highly drafted defensive lineman, but the move did not develop into a productive Oilers tenure. Standard NFL career records do not show regular-season games for Lewis. Houston therefore surrendered a second-round future asset without receiving measurable regular-season production from the player acquired.
Kansas City's Future Pick
The Oilers' selection became No. 27 overall in 1973. Kansas City used it on Rice tight end Gary Butler. Butler played all 14 games for the Chiefs as a rookie, started three and caught eight passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. His Kansas City career lasted only that season, so this was not a spectacular second-round success, but it was concrete NFL production from the acquired asset.
Evaluating the Cost
The Chiefs did not turn the pick into a long-term star, which limits the grade. Still, they converted Lewis into a top-30 selection and received a full season plus two touchdowns from Butler. Houston's side did not produce comparable on-field value.
Final Verdict
Kansas City Chiefs Win. Kansas City earns a B-minus for converting a player it moved before his rookie season into a second-round pick that produced immediate contribution. Houston earns a D because Lewis did not establish a regular-season Oilers career while the club surrendered a valuable future second-round selection.
Scott Lewis never established an NFL regular-season career after joining Houston, while Kansas City converted the future second-round choice into Gary Butler, who played all 14 games in 1973 and scored two receiving touchdowns.