NFL Trade Verdict

Pittsburgh Steelers Win

Summary: Pittsburgh moved up from 27th to 16th overall, paying a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to Kansas City to select Troy Polamalu. Polamalu won two Super Bowls, made eight Pro Bowls, and is a Hall of Famer. Analysis: Troy Polamalu was arguably the greatest safety in NFL history and was instrumental in Pittsburgh's Super Bowls in Super Bowls XL and XLIII. Kansas City took Larry Johnson at #27 — a very good running back — but Polamalu's transformative impact on defense, combined with the modest cost of a third and a sixth, makes this one of the best trades in franchise history. A+ stands.

April 26, 2003 Pittsburgh SteelersKansas City Chiefs Confidence: low Tier: major Provisional Record

Pittsburgh Steelers Received

Kansas City Chiefs Received

Trade Summary

Summary: Pittsburgh moved up from 27th to 16th overall, paying a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to Kansas City to select Troy Polamalu. Polamalu won two Super Bowls, made eight Pro Bowls, and is a Hall of Famer. Analysis: Troy Polamalu was arguably the greatest safety in NFL history and was instrumental in Pittsburgh's Super Bowls in Super Bowls XL and XLIII. Kansas City took Larry Johnson at #27 — a very good running back — but Polamalu's transformative impact on defense, combined with the modest cost of a third and a sixth, makes this one of the best trades in franchise history. A+ stands.

Trade Analysis

Summary: Pittsburgh moved up from 27th to 16th overall, paying a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to Kansas City to select Troy Polamalu. Polamalu won two Super Bowls, made eight Pro Bowls, and is a Hall of Famer. Analysis: Troy Polamalu was arguably the greatest safety in NFL history and was instrumental in Pittsburgh's Super Bowls in Super Bowls XL and XLIII. Kansas City took Larry Johnson at #27 — a very good running back — but Polamalu's transformative impact on defense, combined with the modest cost of a third and a sixth, makes this one of the best trades in franchise history. A+ stands. Kansas City Chiefs received 2003 1st round pick (27th overall, Larry Johnson), 2003 3rd round pick (92nd overall, Julian Battle) and 2003 6th round pick (200th overall subsequently traded, Brooks Bollinger) and gave up 2003 1st round pick (16th overall, Troy Polamalu). The partner grade reflects the same value curve from the opposite side of the transaction.