Green Bay moved from No. 29 to No. 19 in the 1998 draft by…
Green Bay moved from No. 29 to No. 19 in the 1998 draft by sending Miami the 29th pick and the 60th pick. The Packers used No. 19 on defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday, who played 214 career games and recorded 62.5 sacks. Miami selected John Avery at No. 29 and later traded No. 60 to Detroit; Avery lasted only 29 NFL games, giving Green Bay the clearly stronger direct outcome.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1998 1st round pick (19th overall, Vonnie Holliday)
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1998 1st round pick (29th overall, John Avery)
- pick 1998 2nd round pick (60th overall; subsequently traded to Detroit)
Trade Analysis
Why Green Bay Moved Up
The Packers targeted defensive-line help and paid Miami a second-round selection to climb from No. 29 to No. 19. That is meaningful draft capital, so the move required Green Bay to identify a player capable of producing for years. The Packers selected Vonnie Holliday, while Miami moved back and took running back John Avery before using the extra second-round pick as currency in another draft-day trade.
What Holliday Became
Holliday immediately justified the aggressive move. He started 12 games as a rookie, recorded eight sacks and finished second in Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. His career ultimately stretched to 214 games with 62.5 sacks. Green Bay received five productive seasons from him before he continued as a durable defensive lineman around the league. That is excellent value from the 19th overall selection.
How Miami’s Return Compared
Avery played 16 games as a rookie and rushed for 503 yards, but his NFL career lasted only 29 games. Miami’s other asset, the 60th pick, was subsequently sent to Detroit in another trade rather than used by the Dolphins on Charlie Batch. That distinction matters: Miami received the pick as an asset, but it did not directly receive Batch’s career. Even crediting the flexibility of the extra selection, the Dolphins did not match Holliday’s impact.
Final Verdict
Green Bay Packers Win. Green Bay earns an A- for turning an expensive move-up into a long-term defensive starter with 62.5 career sacks. Miami receives a D+ because Avery produced little lasting value and the extra pick did not create a comparable direct return. The player evaluation at No. 19 made the trade work decisively for the Packers.