Kansas City sent New England the 112th pick in 1995 for a…
Kansas City sent New England the 112th pick in 1995 for a 1996 third-rounder. The Patriots selected center Dave Wohlabaugh, who became an immediate starter and a very good player. Kansas City waited a year and used No. 68 on defensive lineman John Browning, who spent nine seasons with the Chiefs, played 121 games, started 96 and recorded 27.5 sacks. Both sides won; Kansas City's longevity wins narrowly.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 1996 3rd round pick (68th overall, John Browning)
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1995 4th round pick (112th overall, Dave Wohlabaugh )
Trade Analysis
Why New England Wanted the Current Pick
New England gave up a 1996 third-round selection to get into the fourth round in 1995 and selected center Dave Wohlabaugh at No. 112. The Patriots needed offensive-line stability, and Wohlabaugh delivered quickly. He became a starter as a rookie and remained a fixture through 1998. Paying a future pick one round earlier was justified by the immediate role he filled.
What Kansas City Received by Waiting
Kansas City accepted the delayed return and held New England's 1996 third-round selection, which became No. 68. The Chiefs used it on defensive lineman John Browning. Instead of short-term value, Kansas City received remarkable continuity: Browning spent nine NFL seasons with the Chiefs, appearing in 121 games and starting 96. He also recorded 27.5 sacks while working across the defensive front.
How Strong Both Outcomes Were
This trade produced good players on both sides. Wohlabaugh went on to start all 128 games of his NFL career, although only his first four seasons belonged to New England. Browning's full nine-year career was spent in Kansas City, making his value especially relevant to this exchange. The Chiefs waited one season for the asset, but the patience produced a longer team-specific return than New England received.
Final Verdict
Kansas City Chiefs Win, narrowly. Kansas City earns an A- for turning a fourth-rounder into a future third that became a nine-year defensive starter and rotational anchor. New England receives a B+ because Wohlabaugh was an excellent immediate selection and a multi-year starter. There is no bad side here; the difference comes from Browning's 121 games and 96 starts all being realized by Kansas City.