Denver acquired Butch Johnson from Houston on August 20, 1984…
Denver acquired Butch Johnson from Houston on August 20, 1984 for a 1985 third-round pick. Johnson immediately became a meaningful receiving weapon, producing 587 yards and six touchdowns in 1984 and 380 yards with three scores in 1985. Houston used No. 82 on center Mike Kelley, whose NFL contribution was limited. The Broncos received the clearly stronger realized return.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Butch Johnson
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1985 third round pick (#82-Mike Kelley (c))
Trade Analysis
Why Denver Called
The Broncos acquired Butch Johnson from Houston on August 20, 1984 for a 1985 third-round pick. Johnson had struggled to find a role during the Oilers' preseason, but Denver knew the veteran receiver and believed he could fit an offense coached by Dan Reeves. The move was a straightforward bet on immediate production.
What Johnson Delivered
The bet worked quickly. Johnson caught 42 passes for 587 yards and six touchdowns in 1984, giving Denver a productive complementary target during a playoff season. He followed with 380 receiving yards and three more touchdowns in 1985. Across two seasons, the Broncos received 967 yards and nine scores from a player acquired for one third-round selection.
What Houston Received
The Oilers used the No. 82 pick on center Mike Kelley. The logic of recovering draft capital for a veteran who had become expendable was reasonable, but the selected player did not create a comparable return. Kelley appeared in a limited number of NFL games and did not become a long-term starter for Houston.
How the Value Settled
Denver paid a meaningful but manageable price and received two seasons of actual offensive production. Houston gained the future opportunity, but the third-round choice did not turn into a player who matched Johnson's impact. This is exactly the kind of veteran-for-pick exchange where the realized result matters more than the theoretical value of the selection.
Final Verdict
Denver earns a B+ and Houston a C. Johnson gave the Broncos nearly 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while the Oilers' third-round selection produced little comparable value. The Broncos received the stronger football return, making this a Denver Broncos Win.