Miami traded running back Ed Jenkins to New York on August…
Miami traded running back Ed Jenkins to New York on August 17, 1974, for a late 1975 draft choice. Dolphins historical records describe it as a 14th-round pick; because league passes shortened the draft, the transferred slot was exercised in the 13th round at No. 338 on James Lewis. Jenkins played only four games for the Giants, while Lewis produced no notable Miami NFL return, leaving little separation.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1975 late-round pick (No. 338, James Lewis ; exercised in the 13th round after league passes)
New York Giants Received
- player Ed Jenkins
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Miami sent running back Ed Jenkins to the Giants on August 17, 1974, for a future late-round draft choice. Dolphins transaction history describes the compensation as a 1975 14th-round pick. Because enough teams passed before the end of that draft, the transferred slot was actually exercised in the 13th round at No. 338, where Miami selected James Lewis. The completed terms are therefore Jenkins for the choice that became Lewis, not an additional hidden asset.
Miami's Return
The Dolphins converted a reserve player into a future selection. No. 338 was an extremely late pick, and Lewis did not develop into meaningful regular-season production for Miami. The value was therefore mostly the opportunity itself rather than a successful player outcome. Given Miami's deep roster in the mid-1970s, recovering any draft choice for a player it was prepared to move was sensible, but the return never became a significant contributor.
New York's Return
Jenkins provided only brief service. His career record shows four games for the Giants in 1974, and he spent that season with multiple teams. New York did not acquire a starter or a player who remained on the roster for years. The cost was correspondingly small, so the move was not damaging, but the Giants did not obtain enough production to claim a meaningful win from the transaction.
Value in Hindsight
This is exactly the kind of low-cost trade where forcing a winner would exaggerate the evidence. Miami received a very late draft opportunity with little realized value. New York received four games from Jenkins. Neither side surrendered a premium asset, and neither side found a player who materially changed its roster. The quirky round numbering in 1975 is a historical detail, not a reason to inflate the selection's value.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Miami and New York each receive a C. The Dolphins recovered a late selection but did not convert it into notable NFL production. The Giants obtained only a short Jenkins stint. Both teams took a reasonable low-cost chance, and the realized results remained too small and too similar to justify a directional verdict.