Tampa Bay acquired New England's fifth-round pick in 1987 and…
Tampa Bay acquired New England's fifth-round pick in 1987 and selected linebacker Henry Rolling at No. 135, sending the Patriots a 1988 fourth-round choice. That future pick became No. 87, Tim Goad. Rolling gave Tampa Bay only limited reserve work, while Goad immediately became a Patriots starter and remained a major part of New England's defensive front through 1994.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1988 fourth round pick (#87-Tim Goad)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- pick 1987 fifth round pick (#135-Henry Rolling)
Trade Analysis
Why Tampa Bay Wanted the 1987 Pick
The Buccaneers acquired New England's fifth-round selection before the 1987 draft and used No. 135 on Nevada-Reno linebacker Henry Rolling. The price was a future fourth-round choice in 1988. Tampa Bay was effectively borrowing a better-timed pick, gaining an immediate player while asking New England to wait one year for its compensation.
What New England Received a Year Later
The future selection became No. 87 in the 1988 draft, and New England selected defensive tackle Tim Goad. Draft records identify that pick as coming from Tampa Bay. Goad immediately entered the lineup, appearing in all 16 games and starting 14 as a rookie. He then started 16 games in each of the next two seasons and remained a regular Patriots starter through 1994.
How the Player Outcomes Separated
Rolling had an NFL career beyond Tampa Bay, but his Buccaneers value was limited compared with Goad's New England tenure. Goad played seven seasons for the Patriots and started more than 100 games for the franchise, providing rare durability from a fourth-round selection. His career eventually reached 141 games and 123 starts. That kind of sustained line play is a substantial return for waiting one draft cycle.
Final Verdict
New England wins decisively and earns an A-. The Patriots converted a fifth-rounder into a future fourth-round pick, then used it on a long-term starter who anchored the defensive front for years. Tampa Bay gets a C because Rolling was a legitimate NFL player and the original move was understandable, but the Buccaneers did not capture anything close to the direct franchise value New England received from Goad.