Buffalo moved down from No. 14 to No. 26 in the 1984 draft…
Buffalo moved down from No. 14 to No. 26 in the 1984 draft and also received third-round picks Nos. 79 and 82 from Miami. The Bills selected Greg Bell, Sean McNanie and Speedy Neal. Bell immediately rushed for 1,100 yards and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Miami got Jackie Shipp, a useful multi-year starter, but Buffalo’s three-player return created greater total value.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1984 first-round pick (No. 26 overall - Greg Bell)
- pick 1984 third-round pick (No. 79 overall - Sean McNanie)
- pick 1984 third-round pick (No. 82 overall - Speedy Neal)
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1984 first-round pick (No. 14 overall - Jackie Shipp)
Trade Analysis
Why Miami Moved Up
Miami targeted linebacker Jackie Shipp and climbed from No. 26 to No. 14 on May 1, 1984. The Dolphins paid two third-round selections, Nos. 79 and 82, in addition to the lower first-round pick. Shipp justified part of that aggression by becoming a multi-year starter in Miami rather than washing out as an early selection.
What Shipp Delivered
Shipp spent five seasons with the Dolphins and became a regular defensive contributor. He accumulated dozens of starts during his Miami tenure, giving the club a useful linebacker from the move up. That production matters because it prevents the trade from being judged solely by what Buffalo found with the extra selections.
What Buffalo Received
Buffalo’s complete return was No. 26, No. 79 and No. 82. The Bills used those picks on Greg Bell, Sean McNanie and Speedy Neal. Bell was the centerpiece. As a rookie he rushed for 1,100 yards, earned a Pro Bowl selection and finished among the league’s top first-year offensive players. McNanie and Neal added further roster value, making the return deeper than a simple one-for-one comparison.
How the Value Settled
Miami got the player it wanted and Shipp became a useful starter, so the move was not a failure. Buffalo, however, retained first-round access while adding two third-round choices and hit immediately on Bell. The Bills created more total value without dropping out of the first round.
Final Verdict
Buffalo earns an A- and Miami a B. Shipp was a productive Dolphin, but Bell’s Pro Bowl rookie season plus the two additional selected players gave Buffalo the larger aggregate return. This is a Buffalo Bills Win.