Detroit received New England's 1979 twelfth-round pick for…
Detroit received New England's 1979 twelfth-round pick for Bob McKay and used No. 326 on Bryan Sweeney. Sweeney never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, so the Lions' draft return produced no realized league value. Detroit gained a selection, but the player chosen with it did not become a contributor.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1979 twelfth round pick (#326-Bryan Sweeney)
New England Patriots Received
- player Bob McKay
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
New England reacquired offensive tackle Bob McKay from Detroit on September 13, 1978. In return, the Patriots sent their 1979 twelfth-round draft choice to the Lions. Detroit eventually used that selection, No. 326 overall, on Bryan Sweeney. The transaction involved only fringe-level assets, so the evaluation turns on whether either side converted its return into actual NFL service.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received the future twelfth-round pick and selected Sweeney. Sweeney never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. That means the Lions obtained draft capital but did not convert it into on-field production, starts, or roster longevity. The value of receiving a pick is real at the moment of the trade, but hindsight grading follows what the asset ultimately became.
New England Patriots Return
McKay returned to New England and appeared in 12 games during the 1978 season. He did not start a game, and 1978 was his final NFL season, so this was not a long-term solution or a major personnel win. Still, the Patriots received a full season of active-roster service from the player they acquired, which is more than Detroit realized from Sweeney.
Value in Hindsight
Neither side created important long-term value. New England's advantage comes entirely from converting the transaction into actual regular-season participation while Detroit's draft choice produced none. Because McKay was a reserve and his second Patriots stint lasted only one season, that difference should remain narrow rather than being exaggerated into a major win.
Final Verdict
New England wins a small exchange. The Patriots earn C+ for receiving 12 games of service, and Detroit earns C- because its acquired pick became a player with no NFL regular-season appearances. The grades reflect a modest but supportable separation.