New York acquired veteran tackle Gordon Gravelle from…
New York acquired veteran tackle Gordon Gravelle from Pittsburgh for a future second-round pick that became No. 35 Bob Kohrs in 1980. Gravelle started every game for the Giants in both 1977 and 1978, giving New York 30 immediate starts across those two seasons. Kohrs became a useful NFL linebacker, but the Giants received the stronger direct return.
New York Giants Received
- player Gordon Gravelle
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1980 second round pick (#35-Bob Kohrs)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Pittsburgh traded offensive tackle Gordon Gravelle to the Giants on August 30, 1977 for a future second-round selection. Steelers historical materials identify that choice as No. 35 in 1980, when Pittsburgh selected linebacker Bob Kohrs.
What New York Giants Received
Gravelle immediately became a lineup fixture. Pro Football Reference shows him starting all 14 games for New York in 1977 and all 16 in 1978. Those 30 starts over the first two seasons provided exactly the kind of dependable offensive-line value teams seek when trading future draft capital for a veteran.
What Pittsburgh Steelers Received
The Steelers waited until 1980 and selected Kohrs with the acquired second-round pick. Kohrs appeared in 55 NFL games and was a useful professional player, so Pittsburgh did receive real value. His direct Steelers impact, however, did not clearly surpass the immediate workload Gravelle handled for New York.
How the Value Developed
The trade is closer than a simple veteran-versus-pick comparison suggests. Pittsburgh converted the future choice into a legitimate NFL player, while New York received an established tackle who immediately absorbed 30 starts. The Giants' certainty and early volume create the slight edge.
Why the Difference Matters
A second-round pick is meaningful capital, so New York needed more than short-term depth to justify the cost. Gravelle's full-time starting role met that standard, while Kohrs kept Pittsburgh from receiving a poor grade.
Final Verdict
New York receives a B and Pittsburgh receives a C+. The final call is New York Giants Win, with the margin based on Gravelle's immediate and dependable starting value.