Cleveland acquired elite guard Joe DeLamielleure from Buffalo…
Cleveland acquired elite guard Joe DeLamielleure from Buffalo in September 1980 for second- and third-round draft choices. DeLamielleure became a regular on the Browns' offensive line and later reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Buffalo used the picks on Chris Williams and Eugene Marve, receiving some roster value but not enough to match the proven high-end lineman Cleveland obtained.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1981 second round pick (#49-Chris Williams (Albany))
- pick 1982 third round pick (#59-Eugene Marve)
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Joe DeLamielleure
Trade Analysis
Joe DeLamielleure was already an established elite guard when Cleveland acquired him from Buffalo in September 1980. The Browns paid a second-round selection in 1981 and a third-rounder in 1982, a meaningful but manageable price for a proven offensive lineman. Cleveland's own historical materials describe him as a regular contributor after the move.
Buffalo turned the draft compensation into Chris Williams in the second round of the 1981 draft and Eugene Marve in the third round in 1982. The Bills therefore did not simply lose a veteran without receiving replacement opportunities. Marve in particular had a substantial NFL career, while Williams added some roster value. That keeps Buffalo from receiving a poor grade despite losing the trade.
The difference is the quality of the player Cleveland acquired. DeLamielleure was a premier interior lineman whose career ultimately earned Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. His best-known years came in Buffalo as part of the Electric Company line, but he remained a valuable veteran for Cleveland and gave the Browns certainty at a position where draft picks often require development. The Browns received the best player in the transaction and did not have to surrender a first-round choice to do it.
Cleveland earns an A- because the price was favorable relative to the caliber and reliability of the player acquired. Buffalo receives a C+ because two picks created legitimate roster value and the trade can be understood as part of a transition away from a veteran star. Still, the Bills' resulting players did not equal DeLamielleure's impact. The Browns win on both peak quality and the immediate usefulness of the return.