Seattle moved from No. 9 to No. 3 in the 1983 draft by…
Seattle moved from No. 9 to No. 3 in the 1983 draft by sending Houston Nos. 9, 42 and 69. The Seahawks selected Curt Warner, who immediately rushed for 1,449 yards and became a franchise star. Houston used No. 9 on Bruce Matthews, a Hall of Fame lineman with 14 Pro Bowls, while also receiving Keith Bostic and Chris Dressel. Both teams won, but Houston’s return was historic.
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 1983 first round pick (#3-Curt Warner)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1983 first round pick (#9-Bruce Matthews (Rankin))
- pick 1983 second round pick (#42-Keith Bostic)
- pick 1983 third round pick (#69-Chris Dressel)
Trade Analysis
Why Seattle Moved Up
Seattle wanted a premier running back in the 1983 draft and paid aggressively to reach No. 3. The Seahawks sent Houston the No. 9 first-round pick plus Nos. 42 and 69. They selected Curt Warner, and the move immediately changed their offense. Warner rushed for 1,449 yards and 13 touchdowns as a rookie and became one of the defining players of the franchise's early years.
What Houston Received
The Oilers used the No. 9 pick on offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. That selection alone turned the trade into a landmark success. Matthews played 19 NFL seasons, appeared in 296 games, earned 14 consecutive Pro Bowl selections and became a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Houston also received the second- and third-round selections used on Keith Bostic and Chris Dressel.
Why Seattle Still Earns an A-
This is not a case where one team made a bad move. Warner delivered exactly what Seattle hoped to buy with the move up. He was a high-end runner, helped the Seahawks become a playoff team and gave the franchise thousands of rushing yards. Trading multiple picks for that level of immediate star production can be justified.
Why Houston Wins Anyway
Matthews' longevity and sustained excellence are almost impossible to match. A Hall of Fame lineman who remained a cornerstone for nearly two decades would already be enough to tilt the comparison, and Houston also received two additional top-70 selections. The total return simply became larger.
Final Verdict
Houston earns an A+ and Seattle an A-. Warner made the Seahawks' gamble worthwhile, but Matthews became one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history and the Oilers also received Bostic and Dressel. Both teams found major value, with Houston holding the decisive long-term advantage.