St. Louis sent Buffalo the 1982 fourth-round pick used on Van…
St. Louis sent Buffalo the 1982 fourth-round pick used on Van Williams and received Buffalo's 1983 third-rounder. The Cardinals quickly flipped that future choice to New Orleans for veteran defensive end Elois Grooms. Grooms started 26 games for St. Louis from 1982 through 1984 and produced 7.5 sacks in that span, giving the Cardinals a slight edge over Williams' useful return work for Buffalo.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1983 third round pick (#66-Cliff Austin)
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1982 fourth round pick (#93-Van Williams)
Trade Analysis
Why Buffalo Wanted the Pick
Buffalo traded its 1983 third-round selection to St. Louis for the Cardinals' 1982 fourth-round pick, No. 93. The Bills selected running back Van Williams. The transaction is also traceable one step later: St. Louis moved that future third-rounder to New Orleans in August 1982 for defensive end Elois Grooms.
What Buffalo Received
Williams did not become a major runner, but he gave Buffalo legitimate special-teams value. In 1983 he returned 25 kickoffs for 550 yards, then handled 39 returns for 820 yards in 1984. Across three Bills seasons he accumulated 1,390 kickoff-return yards and appeared in 34 games.
How St. Louis Used the Future Pick
The Cardinals converted Buffalo's future third into an established defender rather than waiting for the 1983 draft. Grooms started all nine games of the strike-shortened 1982 season and recorded 4.5 sacks. He started 11 more games in 1983 and six in 1984, giving St. Louis several seasons of front-line defensive work.
Why the Cardinals Get the Edge
Buffalo's return was useful and should not be dismissed; Williams solved a return role for two full seasons. St. Louis, however, transformed the same asset into a veteran who immediately started and remained part of the defensive rotation for several years. That is a slightly more valuable team-specific result.
Final Verdict
St. Louis earns a B+ and Buffalo a B. Both teams extracted genuine production, but Grooms' 26 starts and defensive role outweigh Williams' primarily special-teams contribution. The margin is modest, making this a good trade for both sides with the Cardinals ahead.