Buffalo sent the 51st pick to Denver and received Nos. 58 and…
Buffalo sent the 51st pick to Denver and received Nos. 58 and 110, selecting running back Travis Henry and linebacker Brandon Spoon. Henry became a Pro Bowler and rushed for 6,086 career yards with 38 touchdowns. Denver used No. 51 on defensive end Paul Toviessi, whose professional career never produced comparable on-field value. The Bills turned one second-round slot into a productive featured back plus an additional starter-level opportunity.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 2001 2nd round pick (58th overall, Travis Henry)
- pick 2001 4th round pick (110th overall, Brandon Spoon)
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2001 2nd round pick (51st overall, Paul Toviessi )
Trade Analysis
Why Denver Moved Up
Denver targeted defensive end Paul Toviessi and paid Buffalo two selections, Nos. 58 and 110, to climb to No. 51. The Broncos clearly viewed Toviessi as worth consolidating draft capital for, and their own historical material records the exchange exactly that way. The problem is that the move-up never created a return comparable to the price. Toviessi did not establish himself as an NFL contributor, leaving Denver with almost no realized value from a premium second-round investment.
What Buffalo Found After Moving Down
Buffalo used No. 58 on Travis Henry, and that selection immediately changed the value of the trade. Henry played 90 career games, rushed for 6,086 yards, scored 38 rushing touchdowns and earned a Pro Bowl selection. He became Buffalo’s primary back early in his career and produced multiple high-volume seasons. The Bills also used No. 110 on linebacker Brandon Spoon, who started 14 games during his rookie season before his career was shortened.
How the Extra Pick Magnified the Gap
Even if Spoon had provided no value, Henry’s career would have made the trade favorable to Buffalo. The additional fourth-round selection simply widened the advantage because it gave the Bills another chance to add a contributor without surrendering the ability to draft a starting-caliber running back. Denver, meanwhile, concentrated two picks into one player and received little usable NFL production.
Final Verdict
Buffalo Bills Win. Buffalo earns an A for moving down seven spots and still landing a Pro Bowl back while adding another selection. Denver receives an F because the move-up consumed two choices and did not produce meaningful on-field value from Toviessi.