Miami traded veteran center Bob DeMarco to Cleveland on…
Miami traded veteran center Bob DeMarco to Cleveland on September 26, 1972 for the Browns' 1973 seventh-round choice, later used on Willie Hatter. Hatter never played an NFL regular-season game, while DeMarco became a Cleveland starter and made 27 starts across 1973 and 1974. The Browns therefore obtained substantially more direct football value from the exchange.
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Bob DeMarco
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1973 seventh round pick (#178-Willie Hatter)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On September 26, 1972, Miami sent veteran center Bob DeMarco to Cleveland for the Browns' seventh-round choice in the 1973 draft. Cleveland's draft history explicitly notes that its seventh-round selection was traded to Miami for DeMarco. Draft records identify the pick as No. 178, which the Dolphins used on wide receiver Willie Hatter.
What Cleveland Received
DeMarco gave the Browns immediate veteran help at center after a long and established NFL career. His Cleveland tenure was not merely a short stop: he became a regular starter and made 27 starts across the 1973 and 1974 seasons. That is substantial direct value for the cost of a seventh-round selection. Cleveland received a proven player who filled an important offensive-line role for multiple seasons.
What Miami Received
The Dolphins gained a late-round draft choice, which was a reasonable way to recover value from a veteran who no longer fit their plans. The selection became Hatter at No. 178. Hatter did not appear in an NFL regular-season game, however, so Miami did not convert the pick into playing value. The low cost limits the damage, but the outcome falls well behind what DeMarco provided Cleveland.
Final Verdict
Cleveland wins clearly. A seventh-round choice is modest capital, and turning it into a multi-season starting center is an excellent return at that price. Miami's pick did not produce an NFL contributor, leaving the Dolphins with little direct value from the transaction. B- for Cleveland reflects a strong low-cost acquisition, while C for Miami recognizes that the original asset surrendered was still only a late-round selection.