Miami sent Tampa Bay the rights to linebacker Ray Nettles on…
Miami sent Tampa Bay the rights to linebacker Ray Nettles on January 21, 1977 for fifth- and sixth-round selections in that year's draft. The fifth became No. 113, punter Mike Michel. Miami returned the sixth to Tampa Bay on February 7 in a separate deal for Barry Smith and Randy Young, explaining why some later team histories compress the Nettles transaction to only the fifth-round pick.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1977 fifth-round pick (#113-Mike Michel)
- pick 1977 sixth-round pick (returned to Tampa Bay on February 7, 1977 in the Barry Smith/Randy Young trade)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- other rights to Ray Nettles
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On January 21, 1977, Miami traded the NFL rights to linebacker Ray Nettles to expansion Tampa Bay. Older Dolphins records specify a fifth- and a sixth-round pick in the 1977 draft as the return. Draft tracing identifies the fifth as No. 113, which Miami used on punter Mike Michel.
Why the Sixth Rounder Matters
Some later team summaries list only the fifth-round pick. Miami's own older transaction history explains the difference. On February 7, the Dolphins sent the sixth-round choice back to Tampa Bay in a separate trade for wide receiver Barry Smith and tackle Randy Young. The original Nettles package still included both selections even though one quickly returned to the Buccaneers.
Miami's Return
Michel handled Miami's punting job for much of 1977. NFL statistics credit him with 35 punts for 1,338 yards, a 38.2-yard average and nine punts inside the 20 across 13 games. The sixth-round asset also had short-lived exchange value because Miami used it as part of the price for two players weeks after the Nettles deal.
Tampa Bay's Side
The Buccaneers were pursuing talent wherever they could find it during their early expansion years, and Nettles brought a strong Canadian football reputation. The cost was not insignificant for a roster that needed draft volume, although Tampa Bay recovered the sixth-round selection in the February transaction. The fifth-rounder remained with Miami and became Michel.
Final Verdict
Miami Dolphins Win. Miami receives a B-minus for converting Nettles' rights into a usable fifth-round selection plus temporary control of a sixth. Tampa Bay receives a C-plus because it recovered the sixth-rounder but permanently surrendered the pick that became Michel.
Miami obtained the pick used on punter Mike Michel and briefly controlled another selection later returned to Tampa Bay, creating more transactional value than a simple one-pick summary suggests.