Miami moved from No. 83 to No. 76 in the 1983 draft and…
Miami moved from No. 83 to No. 76 in the 1983 draft and selected defensive end Charles Benson, sending Houston the No. 83 pick plus No. 139. Benson played 28 NFL games and recorded two sacks. The Oilers used the two incoming selections on defensive back Steve Brown and defensive lineman Jerome Foster, receiving far more combined professional production from the exchange.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1983 third round pick (#76-Charles Benson)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1983 third round pick (#83-Steve Brown)
- pick 1983 fifth round pick (#139-Jerome Foster)
Trade Analysis
Why Miami Moved Up
The Dolphins wanted defensive end Charles Benson and moved seven spots in the third round, from No. 83 to No. 76. The price was not only the later third-round choice but also a fifth-round selection, No. 139. Draft-trade records show Houston received both picks, correcting the misleading appearance that No. 139 belonged on both sides of the exchange.
What Miami Received
Miami selected Benson at No. 76. He reached the NFL and appeared in 28 games, but his impact was limited. He recorded two sacks and did not develop into a long-term Dolphins starter. For a trade-up that cost an extra fifth-rounder, the direct return was modest.
How Houston Used Both Picks
The Oilers selected defensive back Steve Brown at No. 83 and defensive lineman Jerome Foster at No. 139. Brown became the major prize. He played 119 NFL games, made 96 starts and intercepted 18 passes over his career. Foster added 44 games of professional experience and 7.5 sacks. Houston therefore received both depth and a long-term starting defensive back from the two selections Miami surrendered.
Why Houston Wins
The difference is not merely that Houston received two players instead of one. Brown alone produced much more sustained NFL value than Benson, and Foster added another useful contributor. Miami's small move up the board resulted in a player with a short professional tenure while the Oilers converted the cost into two meaningful careers.
Final Verdict
Houston earns an A- and Miami a D+. The Oilers extracted excellent value from a modest move down, while the Dolphins paid an additional pick for a player who never justified the trade-up. Brown's longevity makes the outcome especially clear.