Miami acquired tight end Alonzo Mayes from Chicago for a 2001…
Miami acquired tight end Alonzo Mayes from Chicago for a 2001 seventh-round pick. Mayes had already shown some NFL receiving ability and appeared in 37 career games, while the Bears used the 208th pick on sprinter John Capel, who never played an NFL regular-season game. Mayes did not become a major Dolphins piece, but Miami received the only established professional football value in the exchange.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 2001 7th round pick (208th overall, John Capel)
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Alonzo Mayes
Trade Analysis
Why Miami Added Alonzo Mayes
Miami acquired Alonzo Mayes in early October 2000, sending Chicago a future seventh-round pick. Mayes had been a fourth-round selection in 1998 and already possessed regular-season experience at tight end, so the Dolphins were buying an immediate depth option at minimal draft cost. He never became a major part of Miami’s offense, but the transaction gave the club a player who had already demonstrated he could function on an NFL roster.
What Chicago Did With the Pick
The Bears used the 208th selection in the 2001 draft on Florida wide receiver John Capel. Capel was an exceptional track athlete and later competed at an elite international level as a sprinter, but he never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. From a football standpoint, that leaves Chicago without realized league production from the acquired pick. The seventh-round cost was small, yet the selection did not provide roster value.
How Limited Returns Still Create a Winner
Mayes finished his NFL career with 37 games, 33 receptions, 339 yards and one touchdown. Much of that production came before Miami acquired him, so the Dolphins should not receive an inflated grade. The relevant point is simpler: Miami obtained an experienced player for a low-cost selection, while Chicago’s draft return never played a league game. Neither side found a core piece, but one side received a usable veteran.
Final Verdict
Miami Dolphins Win, modestly. Miami earns a B- for acquiring an NFL-caliber tight end at the cost of a seventh-round pick. Chicago receives a C because the pick became a player who never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The difference is not large enough for a strong grade, but Miami received the clearer football return.