Cincinnati received the 1980 sixth-round selection that…
Cincinnati received the 1980 sixth-round selection that became Andrew Melontree at No. 159. The pick supplied a real draft asset, but Melontree did not create enough NFL value to make the Bengals' return stand out. The longer view produces a C+ grade for Cincinnati Bengals. Tampa Bay gets a B and Cincinnati a C+.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 1980 sixth round pick (#159-Andrew Melontree)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Tony Davis (b)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Cincinnati Bengals received 1980 sixth round pick (#159-Andrew Melontree), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received Tony Davis (b). The transaction is best judged by the football value those assets ultimately produced for the teams that acquired them, rather than by draft position or name recognition alone.
What Cincinnati Bengals Received
Cincinnati received the 1980 sixth-round selection that became Andrew Melontree at No. 159. The pick supplied a real draft asset, but Melontree did not create enough NFL value to make the Bengals' return stand out.
What Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
Tampa Bay received running back Tony Davis. Davis played all 16 games for the Buccaneers in 1979, 15 in 1980 and 16 in 1981, giving Tampa Bay multiple seasons of dependable roster service from a modest-cost transaction.
How the Value Developed
Neither side acquired a star, so the grading should stay restrained. Cincinnati converted Davis into a sixth-round choice, but the realized value of that selection was limited. Tampa Bay received the more tangible outcome because Davis stayed in the lineup across three seasons and supplied actual NFL snaps.
Why the Difference Matters
The important distinction is realized team value. Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each acquired something usable, but the length, role and quality of the resulting contributions were not equal. That difference is what drives the hindsight grades without exaggerating the importance of a standard-tier transaction.
Final Verdict
Tampa Bay gets a B and Cincinnati a C+. The Buccaneers' edge is based on Davis' multi-season contribution rather than a dramatic franchise swing. Cincinnati received legitimate draft compensation, but the pick did not match the direct value Tampa Bay extracted from the player.