On 1991-04-21, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers…
On 1991-04-21, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers completed a deal whose long-term value became clearer after the players and draft choices developed. Walker played only 18 games for Pittsburgh, with four starts, before finishing his career in Green Bay. The largest separation comes from Coates. The result is New England Patriots Win, with New England Patriots graded A and Pittsburgh Steelers graded D+.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1991 fourth round pick (#100-Raghib Ismail / Rocket Ismail)
- pick 1991 fifth round pick (#127-Floyd Fields)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1991 fourth round pick (#88-Sammy Walker)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Pittsburgh moved up from No. 100 to No. 88 during the 1991 draft and selected defensive back Sammy Walker. New England accepted No. 100 plus No. 127, choosing two later assets instead of the higher fourth-round choice. Walker was a reasonable developmental target, but the Patriots created several opportunities from the two selections they received and quickly began moving those assets again.
What New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers Received
Walker played only 18 games for Pittsburgh, with four starts, before finishing his career in Green Bay. New England sent No. 100 to the Raiders for No. 124 and a 1992 fourth-round pick; No. 124 became Ben Coates. The Patriots also moved No. 127 in a separate draft-day chain that ultimately yielded a 1992 fourth-round selection, No. 90, used on cornerback Dion Lambert.
How the Value Developed
The largest separation comes from Coates. He developed into a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro for New England, turning the lower 1991 choice obtained through this Pittsburgh trade into an elite long-term starter. The future Raiders fourth-rounder also helped New England move up for Rod Smith in 1992. Pittsburgh, by contrast, got only a brief contribution from Walker before he left the organization.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. Pittsburgh's move up produced a player who never became a durable starter, while New England transformed both incoming selections into useful branches and landed the premier player in the chain in Coates. Because some of the Patriots' value required additional transactions, the original deal does not receive sole credit for every later asset, but it clearly supplied the leverage. New England earns an A; Pittsburgh a D+.