On draft day in 1987, Kansas City moved from No. 46 to No. 35…
On draft day in 1987, Kansas City moved from No. 46 to No. 35 and selected Christian Okoye, sending Houston No. 46 and No. 105. Okoye became one of the defining Chiefs of his era, rushing for 4,897 yards and 40 touchdowns while earning two Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro honors. Houston's return did not approach that impact, making Kansas City the clear winner.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 1987 second round pick (#35-Christian Okoye)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1987 second round pick (#46-Walter Johnson (Ulysses))
- pick 1987 fourth round pick (#105-Mark Dusbabek)
Trade Analysis
Why Kansas City Moved Up
Kansas City used two selections to get from No. 46 to No. 35 on April 28, 1987. The Chiefs targeted Christian Okoye, a 250-pound runner from Azusa Pacific, and Houston accepted No. 46 plus the No. 105 fourth-round choice. Contemporary draft coverage records the exchange and places all three selections in the same draft-day chain.
What Kansas City Received
Okoye became the overwhelming value in the deal. He rushed for 4,897 yards and 40 touchdowns in his Chiefs career, made two Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro recognition. His 1989 season established him as the league's leading rusher and one of football's most distinctive power backs. Kansas City did not merely get a starter; it found a player closely identified with the franchise.
What Houston Received
Houston used No. 46 on linebacker Walter Johnson and No. 105 on linebacker Mark Dusbabek. Both reached the NFL and supplied some roster value, so this was not a total loss for the Oilers. The problem is the scale of the comparison. Neither player produced the sustained individual impact, honors or offensive importance that Okoye delivered in Kansas City.
How the Value Settled
Move-up trades are often punished when the targeted player fails, but this is the opposite case. Kansas City paid a reasonable second-to-fourth-round premium and landed a player whose best seasons justified the investment. Houston gained an extra selection but did not turn the two-pick package into comparable long-term value.
Final Verdict
Kansas City wins decisively and earns an A. Houston receives a C because the return produced NFL players but no equivalent centerpiece. Correcting the package also matters: No. 105 belonged to Houston's return, while Kansas City received only No. 35. Even with that accurate accounting, Okoye makes the Chiefs the easy winner.