Miami traded defensive tackle Barron Tanner to Washington on…
Miami traded defensive tackle Barron Tanner to Washington on September 4, 1999 for a 2001 sixth-round pick that became Josh Heupel. Tanner had played 29 games for Miami but did not appear in a regular-season game for Washington. Heupel also never became an NFL regular-season contributor, yet Miami still gained a draft asset for a player Washington did not use, giving the Dolphins the better side.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 2001 6th round pick (177th overall, Josh Heupel)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Barron Tanner
Trade Analysis
Why Washington Added Tanner
Barron Tanner had spent two seasons with Miami and appeared in 29 games before Washington acquired him just before the 1999 season. The cost was a sixth-round pick in the 2001 draft, so Washington was making a relatively inexpensive bet on a young defensive tackle with NFL experience. For Miami, the move converted a roster decision into a future asset rather than simply losing the player without compensation.
What Happened in Washington
Tanner did not appear in a regular-season game for Washington. His NFL career later resumed with Arizona, where he became a part-time starter and ultimately played 78 career games. That later production shows he was capable of contributing in the league, but Washington did not receive it. Trade value is based on what the acquiring team actually realized, and in this case the immediate return was effectively zero regular-season production.
What Miami Did With the Pick
Miami retained the 2001 sixth-round selection and used No. 177 on quarterback Josh Heupel. Heupel did not play in a regular-season NFL game, so the Dolphins did not turn the trade into a notable player outcome. Still, the club obtained a real draft asset for a player it was willing to move, preserving an extra roster-building opportunity at almost no practical cost.
Final Verdict
Miami Dolphins Win. Miami earns a B- for converting a departing player into future draft capital and losing essentially no post-trade production from Tanner. Washington receives a D+ because it surrendered a pick for a player who never appeared in a regular-season game for the club. The Dolphins did not hit on the eventual selection, but they still captured more usable value from the exchange.