The Raiders received Houston's 1988 second-round pick for…
The Raiders received Houston's 1988 second-round pick for veteran tackle Bruce Davis. That selection carried real value and was later sent back to Houston as part of the larger Sean Jones trade, where it became the 48th pick used on Quintin Jones. Jones played only five NFL games, while Davis supplied Houston with 39 starts after the original trade, leaving the Raiders with the weaker isolated return.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 1988 second round pick (#48-Quintin Jones)
Tennessee Titans Received
- player Bruce Davis
Trade Analysis
Houston made this move in November 1987 to strengthen an offensive line for a team pushing into contention. The Oilers sent their 1988 second-round selection to the Raiders for veteran tackle Bruce Davis, who immediately stepped into the lineup. Davis started seven games after arriving in 1987, then started all 16 regular-season games in both 1988 and 1989.
The quality of those starts matters. Houston's 1989 media guide described Davis' 1988 season as Pro Bowl-caliber and credited the offensive line with allowing only 24 sacks while helping the running game improve sharply. Davis also started both postseason games that year. For a second-round pick, two full seasons of high-level tackle play plus the immediate 1987 contribution represented strong value during a competitive window.
Los Angeles did receive a meaningful asset. The No. 48 selection had enough value to become part of another major transaction: the Raiders sent that pick back to Houston in the 1988 Sean Jones deal. Houston ultimately used No. 48 on defensive back Quintin Jones. Jones appeared in only five NFL games, but that later result should not erase the fact that the Raiders had acquired useful trade currency in the original Davis exchange.
Evaluated on its own, though, Houston received the better football return. Davis gave the Oilers 39 regular-season starts after the trade and high-level performance at left tackle. The Raiders converted the pick into leverage for a later deal, but the asset did not produce comparable direct value. Houston's timing and fit make the transaction a clear success, while the Raiders' second-round return keeps their grade respectable rather than poor.