Denver acquired veteran cornerback Booker Edgerson from…
Denver acquired veteran cornerback Booker Edgerson from Buffalo for a 1972 fifth-round pick. Historical records disagree over whether the relevant selection was No. 108 Bob Penchion or a chain ending at No. 109 Billy Taylor, so the return should remain one fifth-round pick rather than a pick plus an unidentified player. Edgerson played only six games for Denver, leaving the result essentially even.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1972 fifth round pick (historical sources disagree between #108- Bob Penchion and a pick chain ending at #109- Billy Taylor )
Denver Broncos Received
- player Booker Edgerson
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 31, 1970, Buffalo traded veteran defensive back Booker Edgerson to Denver for a 1972 fifth-round draft choice. Buffalo received one pick, not a fifth-rounder plus an unidentified player. Historical records differ on the downstream identity: Buffalo material points to No. 108 Bob Penchion, while other pick-chain records create a possible connection to No. 109 Billy Taylor.
Buffalo Bills Return
A future fifth-round pick was a reasonable return for a veteran nearing the end of his Buffalo tenure. If the choice was No. 108, Penchion eventually played 48 NFL games and started 30, although much of that career value came after his Buffalo years. The conflicting provenance prevents assigning every bit of downstream value confidently, but Buffalo at least converted an aging asset into draft capital.
Denver Broncos Return
Edgerson had been a productive and durable member of Buffalo's secondary, with a long AFL résumé. Denver did not receive that earlier version of the player. His Broncos stint lasted only six games and included no starts. That limited contribution makes it difficult to call Denver a clear winner even though the acquisition cost was only a fifth-round selection.
Value in Hindsight
The transaction was modest on both sides. Buffalo obtained a reasonable future asset, while Denver took a low-cost chance on an established veteran. Uncertainty over the exact selection cautions against overstating Buffalo's realized return, and Edgerson's brief Denver tenure limits the Broncos' case.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Buffalo receives a C for obtaining a legitimate fifth-round asset without a cleanly established downstream payoff. Denver also gets a C because the price was modest, but Edgerson contributed too little in Denver to create meaningful surplus value.