Buffalo moved up in the 1987 draft and used the acquired…
Buffalo moved up in the 1987 draft and used the acquired fourth-round selection on defensive lineman Leon Seals, who became a multi-year Bills contributor and finished his career with 14.5 sacks. Washington received two later picks, most notably the fifth-round choice used on Timmy Smith. Smith's regular-season career was brief, but his postseason peak helped make the return far more meaningful than his career totals alone suggest.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1987 fourth round pick (#108-Leon Seals)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1987 fifth round pick (#117-Timmy Smith)
- pick 1987 sixth round pick (#144-Steve Gage)
Trade Analysis
Why Buffalo Moved Up
Buffalo exchanged two later selections for the earlier choice used on Leon Seals. The Bills were buying access to a defensive lineman they valued and accepted the reduced number of picks to secure him. Washington took the opposite approach, moving down and adding another selection while still staying within the middle rounds.
What Buffalo Received
Seals gave Buffalo the steadier return. He played five seasons for the Bills, started regularly for stretches and supplied pass-rush value on defenses that were becoming contenders. His career total of 14.5 sacks does not make him a star, but the Bills received genuine multi-year production from the pick rather than a brief stint.
What Washington Received
Washington used the incoming fifth-rounder on Timmy Smith and the sixth-rounder on Steve Gage. Gage did not become a major NFL contributor. Smith's regular-season career was also short, but his place in Washington history is much larger than those totals suggest because his postseason breakthrough came at the most valuable possible time during a championship season.
How the Value Settled
Buffalo wins the durability comparison. Seals provided useful defensive snaps over several seasons, exactly the kind of mid-round outcome teams seek. Washington wins the peak-impact comparison. Smith did not sustain his success, yet a championship-defining performance can outweigh years of ordinary depth when measuring what a transaction meant to a franchise.
Final Verdict
Even Trade is the fairest ruling, with B grades for both teams. Buffalo received the more dependable NFL player and can justify moving up. Washington's return was far less durable, but Smith's postseason impact gave the trade lasting franchise value that raw regular-season statistics cannot capture.