New England Patriots acquired Dave Pureifory from Pittsburgh…
New England Patriots acquired Dave Pureifory from Pittsburgh in August 1978 and surrendered the 1979 sixth-round selection that became Dwayne Woodruff. Pureifory did not provide meaningful Patriots regular-season value after the move, while the pick became a major long-term Steelers contributor. That enormous realized gap leaves New England with an F despite the seemingly modest original price.
New England Patriots Received
- player Dave Pureifory
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1979 sixth round pick (#161-Dwayne Woodruff)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Pittsburgh sent Dave Pureifory to New England in August 1978 for a future sixth-round selection. That pick became No. 161 in the 1979 draft, and the Steelers used it on defensive back Dwayne Woodruff. What looked like a small veteran-for-late-pick transaction became dramatically lopsided because of the player Pittsburgh selected with the return.
New England Patriots Return
Pureifory did not provide the Patriots with meaningful regular-season value after the trade. The original cost was only a sixth-round choice, so the decision was understandable as a low-risk attempt to add veteran help. Hindsight, however, is unforgiving here because the outgoing selection became an unusually valuable player for Pittsburgh. New England received little from its side while giving up the opportunity that produced Woodruff. An F reflects the realized result, not the reasonableness of the initial gamble.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Woodruff transformed the trade. He played 157 games, started 105, intercepted 37 passes and spent a decade as a significant piece of the Steelers' secondary. He also contributed to a Super Bowl championship. Finding that level of sustained production in the sixth round is exceptional under any circumstances; doing it with a pick acquired for a player who did not provide the other club meaningful value makes the return even stronger.
Value in Hindsight
Late-round picks usually should not create huge grade spreads because most produce limited value. This is the exception. The selection became a long-term starter with major ball production and championship value, while the veteran going the other way did not establish a comparable role. The difference is both durable and directly traceable.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Pittsburgh earns an A+ for turning the acquired sixth-round pick into Dwayne Woodruff. New England receives an F because Pureifory did not generate meaningful return while the surrendered pick became a decade-long Steelers contributor.