Philadelphia acquired kicker Horst Muhlmann from Cincinnati…
Philadelphia acquired kicker Horst Muhlmann from Cincinnati for a 1976 third-round choice. Muhlmann immediately made 20 field goals for the Eagles in 1975, followed with 11 more in 1976, and remained through 1977. Cincinnati used the No. 69 pick on Danny Reece, but Reece’s NFL career came with Tampa Bay rather than the Bengals. Philadelphia received the stronger direct value.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 1976 third round pick (#69-Danny Reece)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Horst Muhlmann
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Cincinnati traded kicker Horst Muhlmann to Philadelphia on June 16, 1975, for a 1976 third-round selection. Bengals history confirms the acquired pick became No. 69, defensive back Danny Reece. Eagles material records Muhlmann’s arrival, and his subsequent kicking statistics make the value comparison unusually clear for a veteran-for-pick deal.
What Philadelphia Received
Muhlmann immediately filled the Eagles’ kicking job. He played all 14 games in 1975 and made 20 of 29 field-goal attempts, including seven from 40 to 49 yards. He returned in 1976 and made 11 of 16 attempts, then appeared in nine more games in 1977. Philadelphia therefore received multiple seasons of direct specialist production for one third-round choice.
What Cincinnati Received
The Bengals used the acquired pick on Reece at No. 69. Reece went on to have a legitimate NFL career, appearing in 72 games, but that production came with Tampa Bay rather than Cincinnati. From the Bengals’ perspective, the trade asset did not become a regular-season contributor for their own roster. The distinction between a player’s career value and value actually realized by the acquiring club matters here.
Why Philadelphia Gets the Edge
Philadelphia received exactly what it sought: an experienced kicker who handled the job for several seasons. Cincinnati received a valuable draft slot but did not convert it into Bengals production. That makes the outcome different from simply comparing Muhlmann’s career with Reece’s career.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia receives a B+ and Cincinnati a D+. Muhlmann delivered three seasons and 34 made field goals for the Eagles, while the Bengals did not realize Reece’s later Tampa Bay production. Philadelphia clearly wins on direct team value.