St. Louis acquired former No. 1 overall pick Walt Patulski…
St. Louis acquired former No. 1 overall pick Walt Patulski while sending Buffalo the second-round choice used on Joe Devlin. Patulski did not establish a meaningful Cardinals career, while Devlin became a 13-season Bills fixture with 191 games and 179 starts. The enormous difference in longevity makes the Cardinals' gamble a costly one in hindsight.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Walt Patulski
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1976 second round pick (#52-Joe Devlin)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Buffalo sent defensive lineman Walt Patulski to St. Louis in April 1976 and received the second-round choice that became No. 52 Joe Devlin. The trade effectively exchanged a former first overall selection for a new draft chance at a premium offensive-line position.
What Buffalo Received
Devlin became the defining asset in the deal. NFL records list 191 career games and 179 starts, all with Buffalo, from 1976 through 1989. The Bills' own historical material credits him with 13 seasons for the franchise. That level of continuity from a second-round pick is exceptional, particularly for an offensive tackle.
What St. Louis Received
Patulski arrived with pedigree after being the first selection in the 1972 draft, but his Cardinals tenure never matched the name value. Pro Football Archives records him on injured reserve in 1976 and appearing in 14 games without a start in 1977. His NFL career ended after that season.
Why the Difference Is So Large
Buffalo converted a player whose career was nearing its end into more than a decade of starting-caliber line play. St. Louis took a reasonable reclamation swing on a talented former top pick, but the realized return was minimal. Devlin's durability and enormous games-started advantage overwhelm the Cardinals' side.
Historical Context
The trade also illustrates how a second-round pick can outweigh the original player's draft reputation. Buffalo did not need Patulski to rebound once Devlin became a durable offensive-line anchor.
Final Verdict
Buffalo receives an A and St. Louis receives a D+. The Bills won decisively because Joe Devlin delivered 13 seasons and 179 starts, while Walt Patulski supplied almost no comparable long-term value to the Cardinals.