The 1978 Earl Campbell Trade: Houston Moved to No. 1 and Landed a Hall of Fame Centerpiece
Houston traded with Tampa Bay for the first overall pick and selected Earl Campbell. The Buccaneers received real value, but the Oilers landed the defining player.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Jimmie Giles
- pick 1978 first-round pick (#17 Doug Williams)
- pick 1978 second-round pick (#44 Brett Moritz)
- pick 1979 third-round pick (#78 Reggie Lewis)
- pick 1979 fifth-round pick (#133 Chuck Fusina)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1978 first-round pick (#1 Earl Campbell )
Trade Summary
Tampa Bay surrendered the first overall pick in 1978 and received tight end Jimmie Giles, No. 17 overall, a second-rounder, and third- and fifth-round selections in 1979. The Buccaneers drafted Doug Williams at No. 17, paired him with Giles, and reached the 1979 NFC Championship Game. The other three selections were modest, but Williams and Giles made this an unusually productive return.
Trade Analysis
The Price for No. 1
On April 24, 1978, Tampa Bay sent the first overall selection to Houston for Jimmie Giles, Houston’s first- and second-round choices that year, and third- and fifth-round picks in 1979. The Oilers used No. 1 on Earl Campbell. Tampa used No. 17 on Doug Williams, No. 44 on Brett Moritz, No. 78 in 1979 on Reggie Lewis and No. 133 on Chuck Fusina.
Houston’s Franchise-Changing Return
Campbell justified the aggressive move immediately. As a rookie he rushed for 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns, won the rushing title, earned major rookie and offensive honors, and helped push Houston deep into the postseason. He followed with 1,697 rushing yards in 1979 and 1,934 in 1980. Campbell eventually entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame after producing 9,407 career rushing yards and 74 rushing touchdowns.
Tampa Bay’s Strong Countervalue
This was not a one-sided giveaway. Williams became the quarterback who helped transform an expansion-era loser into a playoff team, and Giles became one of the best tight ends in Buccaneers history. Tampa Bay reached the NFC Championship Game in Williams’ second season. Moritz, Lewis and Fusina did not add comparable long-term value, but the two principal pieces gave the Buccaneers meaningful competitive and franchise-building returns.
Why Houston Still Wins
The Buccaneers turned one premium asset into multiple important starters and proved correct that Williams would still be available at No. 17. Houston, however, acquired a Hall of Fame centerpiece at the top of his powers. A trade can be excellent for both sides while still having a winner.
Final Verdict
Houston Oilers Win. Houston earns an A+ for landing Campbell, while Tampa Bay earns an A- for converting the pick into Williams, Giles and additional draft capital that accelerated its rise.
Campbell's Hall of Fame peak justified Houston's enormous trade-up cost.