Pittsburgh Steelers received 1987 sixth round pick (#141-Tim…

The Exchange

On 1987-04-13, Pittsburgh Steelers received 1987 sixth round pick (#141-Tim Johnson), while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received Dan Turk. The exchange is judged by the regular-season service, draft value, and durability each club actually obtained from those incoming assets. The relatively modest stakes matter when setting the grades, but the comparison still rewards the side that converted its return into more useful football value. Pittsburgh Steelers Return The acquired sixth-round choice became Tim Johnson, who started 26 games in 1988 and 1989 and recorded 8.5 sacks across those two seasons. The B grade reflects the length and quality of that contribution relative to what Pittsburgh Steelers surrendered. It does not require a star-level outcome; it measures whether the incoming asset created dependable value for the club that controlled it. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return Dan Turk appeared in 25 games with 13 starts over two Tampa Bay seasons, providing legitimate line depth but less long-term value than Pittsburgh received. The C+ grade applies the same standard to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, emphasizing actual games, starts, production, or retained draft value rather than hypothetical upside. That keeps both sides of the exchange on the same scale. Value in Hindsight The comparison favors the return that became more useful and lasted longer, while giving appropriate credit when both clubs received real contributions. Pittsburgh traded Dan Turk to Tampa Bay and used the acquired sixth-round choice on Tim Johnson. Turk gave Tampa Bay 25 games and 13 starts over two seasons, but Johnson became a substantial Steelers defensive contributor, starting 26 games in 1988-89 and recording 8.5 sacks in those two seasons. Pittsburgh realized the stronger football return from the exchange. The hindsight call remains proportional to a minor transaction: useful depth, a productive late-round selection, or a short starting stint can matter without being treated like a franchise-changing move. Final Verdict The final call is Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Pittsburgh Steelers earns B, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers earns C+. Those grades reflect the documented package, the service or draft value that followed, and the relative durability of each club's return. The result stays focused on what the teams actually received from this transaction rather than on unrelated later events.