Buffalo Bills received 1986 twelfth round pick (#321-Derek…
Buffalo Bills received 1986 twelfth round pick (#321-Derek Christian) in the 1985-08-20 exchange with Green Bay Packers, giving up Preston Dennard. Buffalo received the 1986 twelfth-round selection used at No. 321 on Derek Christian. That return supports a C grade for Buffalo Bills. The final verdict is Green Bay Packers Win, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1986 twelfth round pick (#321-Derek Christian)
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Preston Dennard
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1985-08-20, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers completed a deal in which Buffalo Bills received 1986 twelfth round pick (#321-Derek Christian), while Green Bay Packers received Preston Dennard. Multiple historical records agree on the player movement, counterparties, and material consideration. That makes the useful hindsight question straightforward: what football value did each club actually receive from the assets attached to this exchange?
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo received the 1986 twelfth-round selection used at No. 321 on Derek Christian. The return is best judged at the scale of the transaction itself. For Buffalo Bills, the important point is whether the incoming asset produced usable service or preserved meaningful draft value. Nothing in the documented outcome justifies stretching the grade beyond what the actual return supports, so C is an appropriate mark.
Green Bay Packers Return
Green Bay acquired Preston Dennard, who contributed to the Packers immediately after the trade. That result defines the other side of the comparison. For Green Bay Packers, the grade should reflect the contribution or draft value that followed from this specific deal, without crediting unrelated roster moves or later transactions. On that basis, C+ fits the value Green Bay Packers ultimately realized.
Value in Hindsight
A veteran who helped right away carried more realized value than a twelfth-round choice that produced little, giving Green Bay a modest edge. Because this was not a franchise-changing exchange, the grade spread should remain proportional to the evidence. Late-round picks, short veteran stints, failed physicals, and nominal cash returns can still matter, but they should not be treated like premium assets. The comparison therefore emphasizes actual service, identifiable draft outcomes, and the direct consequences of the deal.
Final Verdict
The final call is Green Bay Packers Win. Buffalo Bills receives C, while Green Bay Packers receives C+. That verdict matches the documented outcome and keeps the judgment tied to the exchange itself. Where the realized returns were close, the grades stay close; where one side obtained clearly more useful football value, the grade separation reflects that advantage without overstating a relatively small transaction.