The Raiders traded Hall of Fame tight end Dave Casper to…
The Raiders traded Hall of Fame tight end Dave Casper to Houston in October 1980 for a first-round pick and two second-round picks. Houston still received a productive, Pro Bowl-level veteran, so its side was not an F. Oakland, however, used the package on Ted Watts, Hall of Famer Howie Long, and Super Bowl XVIII hero Jack Squirek, creating extraordinary long-term value.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 1981 first round pick (#21-Ted Watts)
- pick 1981 second round pick (#48-Howie Long)
- pick 1982 second round pick (#35-Jack Squirek)
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Dave Casper
Trade Analysis
Houston's side deserves more respect than an F because Dave Casper was not finished when the Oilers acquired him. The Hall of Fame tight end remained a productive receiving threat, earned Pro Bowl recognition in 1980, and gave Houston an established star at a position that could influence both the passing game and protection. The Oilers paid heavily, but they did receive real high-level football value.
The Raiders still won by a wide margin because of what the draft package became. Oakland received a 1981 first-round choice, a 1981 second-rounder, and a 1982 second-rounder. Those selections produced Ted Watts, Howie Long, and Jack Squirek. Long became one of the defining defensive players in Raiders history, earning Hall of Fame induction after a career built around power, versatility, and sustained pass-rush impact.
Squirek added another layer of value. He became a contributor on the Raiders' championship roster and authored one of the franchise's signature Super Bowl plays, returning an interception for a touchdown against Washington in Super Bowl XVIII. Watts was less consequential than Long, but the package did not need every selection to hit once one became a Hall of Fame cornerstone and another contributed to a title.
Oakland earns an A+ because converting one veteran, even an elite one, into three premium selections produced franchise-changing value. Houston moves up to B- because Casper's continued quality makes the original failing grade unfair. The Oilers made an expensive win-now move and received a strong player; they simply paid a package whose downstream results became exceptional. The Raiders remain the clear winner without pretending Houston received nothing.