Denver acquired former All-Pro receiver Bill Groman from…
Denver acquired former All-Pro receiver Bill Groman from Houston for two high 1964 AFL draft choices, giving Houston both premium selections in the exchange. Groman produced 27 catches for 437 yards and three touchdowns in his lone Broncos season. Houston received both premium choices, but neither became an Oilers star, leaving Denver with the better realized return.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Bill Groman
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick "high" draft pick (probably 1964 #9-Charley Taylor)
- pick "high" draft pick (probably 1964 #33-John Varnell)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 27, 1963, Houston traded receiver Bill Groman to Denver for two high selections in the 1964 AFL draft. Draft records associate those choices with No. 9 Charley Taylor and No. 33 John Varnell. Both picks went from Denver to Houston. That direction matters because the surviving record is not a player-and-pick swap in both directions; Denver's return was Groman, while Houston's return was the two draft choices.
Denver Broncos Return
Groman had been one of the AFL's most dangerous receivers in Houston, including a huge 1961 season, but Denver was buying the later stage of his career. He still contributed immediately. In 1963 he played all 14 games, caught 27 passes for 437 yards and scored three receiving touchdowns. That was useful production for a Broncos offense that needed established receiving talent, even though Groman stayed only one season.
Tennessee Titans Return
The Oilers gained two high draft choices, giving them considerable theoretical value. The picks are historically tied to Charley Taylor and John Varnell, but neither became a Houston cornerstone through this transaction. Taylor's famous NFL career came with Washington, not the Oilers. The draft capital was attractive, yet the realized Houston benefit did not match what the names attached to those slots might suggest.
Value in Hindsight
Denver paid meaningful draft currency for a short-term veteran, so this is not a runaway. Still, the Broncos received a productive season from Groman while Houston did not convert the two identified high choices into lasting Oilers value.
Final Verdict
Denver Broncos Win. Denver earns a B- for receiving solid immediate production from Groman. Houston receives a D+ because two valuable selections should have created more lasting return, even though the decision to obtain high draft capital was strategically sensible.