Miami Dolphins received 1973 seventh round pick (#163-Benny…
Miami Dolphins received 1973 seventh round pick (#163-Benny Shepherd) in the exchange with New England Patriots. Miami's seventh-round choice became No. 163 Benny Shepherd, but the available career record does not show meaningful Dolphins regular-season value from that selection. Against New England Patriots' return of Bill Griffin, that result supports a C- grade. The transaction is judged as Even Trade, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1973 seventh round pick (#163-Benny Shepherd)
New England Patriots Received
- player Bill Griffin
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots completed this transaction on 1972-09-26. Miami Dolphins received 1973 seventh round pick (#163-Benny Shepherd), while New England Patriots received Bill Griffin. Historical records support the core package, so the fairest comparison is the football value each asset actually produced after the exchange.
Miami Dolphins Return
Miami's seventh-round choice became No. 163 Benny Shepherd, but the available career record does not show meaningful Dolphins regular-season value from that selection. That outcome supports the C- grade assigned to Miami Dolphins. The mark credits value traceable to this deal, including playing time, starts, special-teams work, or the downstream use of a draft choice. It stays proportional to the size of the transaction rather than treating every acquired asset as equally important.
New England Patriots Return
Bill Griffin likewise did not produce meaningful regular-season value for New England, leaving the Patriots without a durable player return from the exchange. That outcome supports the C- grade assigned to New England Patriots. The same standard applies here: the asset is judged by its realized NFL contribution, not by hypothetical upside that never became part of the return. That keeps the comparison focused on what the club actually received.
Value in Hindsight
Miami's seventh-round choice became No. 163 Benny Shepherd, but the available career record does not show meaningful Dolphins regular-season value from that selection. Bill Griffin likewise did not produce meaningful regular-season value for New England, leaving the Patriots without a durable player return from the exchange. Together, those outcomes explain the grade spread. Useful short-term contribution still matters, but a longer or more productive return deserves the stronger mark. When both sides generated little value, the grades stay close; when the production gap was substantial, the verdict follows that separation.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Miami Dolphins receives a C-, while New England Patriots receives a C-. The grades reflect the documented exchange and the value that followed from it, with the margin scaled to the actual importance and longevity of the returns.