Buffalo traded running back Darick Holmes to Green Bay for a…
Buffalo traded running back Darick Holmes to Green Bay for a 1999 fourth-round pick that became tight end Bobby Collins. Holmes immediately supplied 565 yards from scrimmage in 11 games for an injury-hit Packers backfield. Collins later played 26 games for Buffalo, catching 15 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Both returns were useful but limited, making the exchange essentially even.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1999 4th round pick (122nd overall, Bobby Collins)
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Darick Holmes
Trade Analysis
Why Green Bay Added a Running Back
Green Bay acquired Darick Holmes on September 29, 1998, sending Buffalo a 1999 fourth-round pick. The move made sense for a contender dealing with backfield needs. Holmes had already shown he could handle NFL carries in Buffalo, and the Packers were buying immediate depth rather than waiting for a future selection. Both team transaction histories identify the same player-for-pick exchange.
What Holmes Gave the Packers
Holmes contributed right away. In 11 games for Green Bay he rushed 93 times for 386 yards and a touchdown, while adding 19 receptions for 179 yards. His 565 yards from scrimmage provided real support in a season when Dorsey Levens missed time. Holmes did not become a long-term Packer, which limits the ceiling of Green Bay’s return, but his short-term production was meaningful and directly served the purpose of the trade.
How Buffalo Used the Fourth-Rounder
Buffalo’s compensation became the 122nd pick of the 1999 draft, used on tight end Bobby Collins. Collins played 14 games with four starts as a rookie and 12 games with two starts in 2000. Across those two Bills seasons he caught 15 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. That is modest production, yet Buffalo did turn a running back it was willing to move into two seasons of inexpensive roster depth.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Green Bay earns a B- for getting immediate, useful offense from Holmes at a manageable fourth-round cost. Buffalo also earns a B- because the future pick became a player who contributed for two seasons, even if Collins never developed into a major offensive piece. The returns were different in timing and role, but neither was strong enough to create a convincing edge.