The Houston Oilers sent the 17th pick in 1991 to New England…
The Houston Oilers sent the 17th pick in 1991 to New England for Nos. 28 and 101, which became Mike Dumas and David Rocker. New England then packaged No. 17 with another selection to move to No. 14 and draft Leonard Russell. Russell won Offensive Rookie of the Year, giving the Patriots the strongest result from the exchange.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1991 first round pick (#17-Bobby Wilson (b. 1968-03-04))
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1991 second round pick (#28-Mike Dumas)
- pick 1991 fourth round pick (#101-David Rocker)
Trade Analysis
New England did not ultimately use the 17th pick on the player listed at that draft slot. The important part of the transaction is what the Patriots did next. They packaged No. 17 with the 110th selection to move to No. 14 in a deal with Dallas, then selected running back Leonard Russell. Russell immediately rushed for 959 yards and won the 1991 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He spent three seasons in New England and gave the franchise a meaningful offensive centerpiece during a difficult transitional period.
Houston's return was less explosive. The Oilers moved down to No. 28 for safety Mike Dumas and also received No. 101, used on David Rocker. Dumas played real snaps for Houston and had a respectable NFL career, so the decision to trade down was not fruitless. Rocker provided less lasting impact, and the combined return never matched the immediate value New England created by using No. 17 as the central piece of another move up.
This is a case where downstream draft movement matters. Judging New England only by the nominal player at No. 17 would miss how the asset was actually used. The Patriots transformed the pick into access to Russell, whose rookie season supplied both production and league-wide recognition. Houston gained two selections and some defensive help, but not an equivalent difference-maker. The Oilers' package keeps their grade respectable; New England earns the win for converting the acquired first-round capital into the best player outcome connected to the trade.