Buffalo traded veteran receiver J.D. Hill to Detroit for a…
Buffalo traded veteran receiver J.D. Hill to Detroit for a 1977 first-round pick and used No. 12 on defensive lineman Phil Dokes. Dokes played only two NFL seasons, appearing in 22 games with 10 starts. The premium draft position gave Buffalo upside, but the selection did not develop into lasting value.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1977 first round pick (#12-Phil Dokes)
Detroit Lions Received
- player J.D. Hill
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Buffalo sent wide receiver J.D. Hill to Detroit on July 22, 1976, receiving the Lions’ 1977 first-round choice in return. The Bills used that selection, No. 12 overall, on defensive lineman Phil Dokes. A veteran-for-first-rounder exchange normally creates a high bar for the acquiring team, but the careers on both sides were short enough that neither club deserves a strong grade.
Why Detroit Gets the Edge
Hill’s Lions tenure was brief but at least produced immediate offensive use. He appeared in 12 games for Detroit and caught 25 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown, with most of that work coming in 1977. That is modest production, especially for the cost of a future first-round pick, but it was tangible starting-level value during his short stay.
How Buffalo’s Draft Return Held Up
Dokes did not become the long-term defensive building block Buffalo needed from a top-12 selection. He played 22 NFL games, started 10 and was out of the league after the 1978 season. The Bills made a rational value bet by turning an older receiver into premium draft capital, but the final evaluation has to account for what the pick became. A first-round selection that yields only two seasons sharply reduces the payoff.
Final Verdict
Detroit receives a C because Hill contributed for a short period but did not come close to ideal value for a first-round price. Buffalo receives a D+ because the No. 12 pick produced an even shorter and less durable return in Dokes. The Lions win only narrowly on realized contribution. The old A- grade for Detroit greatly overstated a 12-game acquisition, while Buffalo’s process did not translate into a successful player outcome.