Kansas City moved up to No. 23 in the 1979 draft for…
Kansas City moved up to No. 23 in the 1979 draft for quarterback Steve Fuller, sending Houston the 31st pick and a 1980 second-rounder. Fuller started 31 games for the Chiefs over four seasons and showed mobility, but he never developed into a long-term franchise quarterback. The Chiefs received real starting value, just not enough to justify the full premium.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 1979 first round pick (#23-Steve Fuller)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1979 second round pick (#31-Mike Stensrud)
- pick 1980 second round pick (#38-Angelo Fields)
Trade Analysis
Kansas City paid the standard price of a quarterback move-up: immediate draft position plus another premium future selection. The Chiefs acquired Houston’s No. 23 pick in 1979 and selected Clemson quarterback Steve Fuller. The Oilers moved to No. 31, where they selected defensive lineman Mike Stensrud, and also received Kansas City’s 1980 second-round choice, used on offensive lineman Angelo Fields.
Fuller was not a complete failure. He started 12 games as a rookie and 13 more in 1980, when he threw for 2,250 yards and added 274 rushing yards. Across four Kansas City seasons he made 31 starts. The problem was that he never established himself as the durable franchise quarterback expected from a first-round investment, and his role diminished after his second season.
Houston received the more stable long-term piece in Stensrud. He became a regular part of the Oilers defensive front and produced enough longevity to make the move down worthwhile. Fields did not become a comparable star, so the second selection did not turn the trade into a runaway victory. Still, the Oilers extracted two chances while giving up only eight spots and obtained the most durable team-specific contributor in the deal.
A B+ for Houston reflects that efficient conversion of draft capital. Kansas City receives a C+ because Fuller gave the club multiple seasons of starting quarterback play, which has genuine value, but the Chiefs paid a first-round move-up premium for a player who did not become their long-term answer. The Oilers simply received more dependable value from the selections they accepted.