Denver traded punter Luke Prestridge to New England and…
Denver traded punter Luke Prestridge to New England and received the 1985 tenth-round choice used on Buddy Funck. The pick gave the Broncos a future asset, but the eventual return was limited. Denver still holds a slight hindsight edge because it converted the outgoing specialist into draft capital, supporting a C+ grade rather than a stronger mark.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 1985 tenth round pick (#269-Buddy Funck)
New England Patriots Received
- player Luke Prestridge
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1984-08-20, Denver Broncos received 1985 tenth round pick (#269-Buddy Funck), while New England Patriots received Luke Prestridge. The exchange is supported by the historical transaction and draft records carried into this review, allowing the two returns to be judged by the value each club actually controlled after the deal.
Denver Broncos Return
Denver traded punter Luke Prestridge to New England and received the 1985 tenth-round choice used on Buddy Funck. The pick gave the Broncos a future asset, but the eventual return was limited. Denver still holds a slight hindsight edge because it converted the outgoing specialist into draft capital, supporting a C+ grade rather than a stronger mark. The grade reflects the practical value of that return rather than the reputation or theoretical value of the asset on the day of the trade.
New England Patriots Return
New England acquired punter Luke Prestridge and gave Denver the future tenth-round selection that became Buddy Funck. The Patriots received an immediate player, but the transaction did not generate a meaningful long-term advantage. Because Denver retained the slightly better controlled return through the draft pick, New England lands at C in an otherwise low-impact exchange. The same standard applies on this side: tangible playing value and clearly retained draft capital matter more than an eventual asset's label alone.
Value in Hindsight
Both sides operated at the margins of the roster. New England chose the immediate specialist, while Denver chose future draft flexibility. Neither return became especially important, but the Broncos' ability to recover a selection gives them the narrow edge reflected in the one-step grade difference. The transaction is best viewed as a small Denver win, not a major mistake by New England.
Final Verdict
The final call is Denver Broncos Win. Denver Broncos earns C+, and New England Patriots earns C. Those grades reflect the supported package and the relative football value each side realized, while keeping the scale of the transaction in proper context.