Miami moved up to No. 25 in the 1989 draft and selected…
Miami moved up to No. 25 in the 1989 draft and selected safety Louis Oliver, sending Chicago picks No. 36 and No. 65. Oliver became a long-term Dolphins starter and ballhawk, while the Bears turned their two selections into linebacker John Roper and center Jerry Fontenot, with Fontenot becoming a durable multi-year starter. Both teams extracted substantial value from the swap.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 1989 second round pick (#36-John Roper)
- pick 1989 third round pick (#65-Jerry Fontenot)
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1989 first round pick (#25-Louis Oliver)
Trade Analysis
Why Miami Moved Up
Miami wanted the 25th pick in the 1989 draft and used it on Florida safety Louis Oliver. Chicago was willing to move down, receiving No. 36 and No. 65. The structure created a classic quality-versus-quantity comparison: the Dolphins targeted one defensive back they valued highly, while the Bears converted one first-round slot into two selections inside the first 65 picks.
What Each Team Drafted
Oliver became a significant Dolphins defender and finished his NFL career with 27 interceptions. Chicago used No. 36 on linebacker John Roper and No. 65 on center Jerry Fontenot. Roper supplied early defensive production before his career moved elsewhere, while Fontenot became the enduring piece of Chicago's return, starting for years and ultimately playing 239 regular-season games across a long NFL career.
How the Value Developed
Miami can reasonably view Oliver as a successful first-round target because he became a regular starter and playmaker rather than a short-lived selection. Chicago, however, did not merely collect extra choices that disappeared. Fontenot became a major longevity win, and Roper gave the Bears additional usable value from the second-round portion of the return. That combination closes the gap created by Oliver's higher-end defensive impact.
Final Verdict
There is no need to force a loser. Miami secured the player it wanted and received a long-term starting safety with turnover production. Chicago turned one pick into two players, including a center whose durability gave the Bears years of dependable service. Both approaches worked. B+ grades on each side recognize different forms of successful roster building, and the complete outcome is best classified as an Even Trade.